Alvise Valaresso as Asclepius

In this portrait of high nobility, the Venetian Ambassador Alvise Valaresso dons the costume familiar with Asclepius. It was common in the times of neoclassicism for members of the upper classes to commission works of themselves in the guise of a God or ancient philsopher. Though little is documented about Valaresso, nor this sculpture, it can be considered that the man was of high wealth as to be able to have this idealised portrait made of him.在这幅贵族肖像中，威尼斯大使阿尔维塞·瓦拉雷索（Alvise Valaresso）身着模仿医神阿斯克勒庇俄斯（Asclepius）的装束。在新古典主义时代，上层阶级人士委托创作以神祇或古代哲学家形象为蓝本的自肖像作品，是极为普遍的风尚。尽管关于瓦拉雷索本人与这件雕塑的记载均寥寥无几，但可推断该人物拥有雄厚财力，方能定制这幅理想化的肖像作品。