Portret van Francesco Andreini 1568 - 1610

Abraham Tummerman created this portrait of Francesco Andreini, also known as Geloso, using engraving techniques. Andreini was a towering figure in the world of the Commedia dell'Arte, a theatrical form that gave a central role to improvisation and stock characters. His portrayal here isn’t just a record of his likeness, it speaks to the fluid nature of identity in performance. Commedia dell'Arte allowed performers to explore different social roles, often challenging the rigid social norms of the time. Andreini’s character ‘Geloso’ which translates to ‘jealous’ in English, gave him a space to explore emotions around masculinity. Through this character, Andreini could act out jealous rages that perhaps were not acceptable in wider society. What we see is more than a portrait; it is an encapsulation of the artist’s impact on the cultural landscape and an invitation to reflect on how we create and negotiate identities through performance.