Moretto da Brescia: Portrait of a young man (1540-1545)
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(The National Gallery, London, UK)
A beautiful 16th century portrait this time. The painter is the Italian master Alessandro Bonvicino, better known as 'Moretto da Brescia' (1498-1554). The sitter is probably Fortunato Martinengo Cesaresco, a nobleman from the city of Brescia in Northern Italy. Fortunato Martinengo Cesaresco married in 1542 so this painting was perhaps commissioned for that occasion. The coins and bronze foot suggest the interests of Fortunato. On his hat there is the text "'Alas, I desire too much" in Greek which is reflected in the somewhat melancholy reflection of the sitter. Painting from 1540-1545.