European Painting before 1900, Johnson Collection Portrait of a Young Gentleman c. 1470-74 Antonello da Messina (Antonello di Giovanni di Michele de Antonio), Italian (active Messina, Naples, and Venice), first securely documented 1456, died 1479 Oil on panel Currently not on view Cat. 159 John G. Johnson Collection, 1917 |
LabelOriginally, the background and hat on this panel were black, creating a contrast that brought attention to the sitter's face and eyes. This type of composition won Antonello the reputation of the most psychologically perceptive portrait painter of the Renaissance. |
