Portrait of a Man (Antonello da Messina, London)

Portrait of a Young Man
Artist Antonello da Messina
Year 1475–76
Type Panel
Dimensions 25.5 cm × 35.5 cm (10.0 in × 14.0 in)
Location National Gallery, London

Portrait of a Man is a painting by Italian Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina, currently housed in the National Gallery of London, United Kingdom. It was printed on the Italian 5,000 lire note issued from 1979 to 1983.

Description

The work portrays an unknown man, whose garments belonged to the middle-upper class of the time. He wears a leather blouse, under which a white shirt is visible, and a red cloth beret.

He is depicted from three-quarters, differently from the tradition of the time. The dark background and the essential composition derived from Flemish painting school, including Petrus Christus, whom Antonello knew personally in Italy.

X-ray analysis proved that originally the eyes looked in a different direction. Perhaps there was a parapet with the signature, which was cut off later.[1] It has been suggested that this late work could be a self-portrait.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Page at museum's official website
  2. ↑ De Vecchi, Pierluigi; Elda Cerchiari (1999). I tempi dell'arte. Milan: Bompiani. ISBN 88-451-7212-0.

Sources

  • De Vecchi, Pierluigi; Elda Cerchiari (1999). I tempi dell'arte. Milan: Bompiani. ISBN 88-451-7212-0.

Further reading

  • Barbera, K, ed. (2005). Antonello da Messina: Sicily's Renaissance Master. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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