MORONI, Giovanni Battista
(b. 1525, Albino, d. 1578, Bergamo)

Portrait of a Soldier

1555-59
Oil on canvas, 119 x 91 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid

Moroni was one of the most accomplished portraitists in Lombard painting in the 16th century. For a long time he did not obtain the recognition he deserved, because some of his best portraits were attributed to Titian. His teacher was Moretto da Brescia (Alessandro Bonvicino), like-wise a skilled portraitist. There is no documented evidence of Moroni ever having visited Venice, but his oeuvre demonstrates that he was familiar with the work being done there.