Ritratto Di Ponno 

Pasquale Celommi painted this striking portrait of Ponno, employing the traditional medium of oil on canvas. Celommi lived during a time of significant social and political change in Italy, including the unification and subsequent period of nation-building. Consider how the concept of Italian identity might have influenced this portrait. The sitter's formal attire signifies a certain social status. Notice his confident gaze and meticulously groomed moustache. These details contribute to a persona of respectability, reflecting the values and aspirations of the emerging Italian middle class. The painting captures not just the individual likeness of Ponno, but also hints at the broader cultural narratives of masculinity and social mobility that were prevalent during Celommi's time. It invites us to reflect on the relationship between personal identity and the historical forces that shape it.