Portrait of a Gentleman 

Editor: Here we have a portrait, "Portrait of a Gentleman", painted with oils, attributed to Francesco de' Rossi. What immediately strikes me is the subject's poised, almost melancholy air, amplified by the somber palette. How do you read this painting? Curator: Oh, I see a man entirely in his own world, doesn’t he remind you of someone nursing a delightful secret? The portrait has a certain psychological weight. Notice how his dark attire almost blends into the background, yet the light catches his face, drawing us into his thoughts. The subtle colour palette contributes to a somber yet very refined impression, don’t you think? I think he might be an advisor for the crown or similar! Editor: That’s an interesting point. The way he is holding the book in his hands makes him appear like he is waiting. But how can we be sure about it? Is this related to Mannerism? Curator: Exactly. Mannerism loves this ambiguous tension! It's a game of elegance, of intellect barely hidden beneath a surface of formal restraint. Who is he waiting for? What's in the book? Maybe nothing is relevant! Maybe this very second it's up to the spectator and his interpretation. Editor: So it's almost an invitation to project ourselves onto the painting. Thanks! Curator: It invites you to be a confidant, don’t you feel? Which is after all, I think, one of the greatest pleasures painting gives us.