A significant figure of Casalmaggiore’s era of Maria Theresa was Camillo Mantovani, a member of the local Board of Decurions, of which diplomatic abilities played a key role in elevating Casalmaggiore to the title of city as per Maria Theresa’s ordinance in 1754.
The ticket Camillo holds in is hands hints to his role throughout the event, while the cameo around his finger refers to his passion for antiques and classical studies, which led him to promoting the archaeological excavations in Brescello. It appears evident that the client meant to include allusive details in the portrait that hid deeper meanings, those that they wanted to leave traces of.
Mantovani, whose Arcade pseudonym was Sildoro Acontimacario, was also the first vice-custodian of the Arcadic pillar Eridania, erected as an affiliation to the Roman Arcadia in 1754.
Donated by Lia e Primo Ferrari, 2006
