CARBONE, GIOVANNI BERNARDO. — Painter, born in Genoa in 1614. As a young man he attended the workshop of G. A. de Ferrari. Later, probably around 1650, he went to Venice. He then returned to his homeland, where he remained until 1683, the year of his death.
In his youth Carboni devoted himself to fresco painting. He then produced notable sacred subjects, in which, however, he adhered so closely to his master’s manner that he was often confused with him. Carboni’s greatest renown, however, is tied to his activity as a portraitist, in which he sought to emulate the great models left in Genoa by Van Dyck. His drawing is less fluent, his coloring less brilliant and vivid—negative qualities that do not detract from his merit as an attentive and precise “interpreter” of his subjects and, often, a judicious colorist. In the late period of his activity a certain weariness is noticeable.
Among his sacred subjects are a signed and dated Madonna at Celle Ligure (1665) and a Visitation at Lerici. Notable portraits include Gentleman with Son at Palazzo Venezia; the Magnificent Emanuele Brignole, Genoa, Albergo dei Poveri; the Prelate, ibid., Palazzo Reale; the Magnificent Emanuele Serra, ibid., Serra property, etc.