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

Portrait of a Gentleman

1555-56
Oil on canvas, 186 x 100 cm
National Gallery, London

This painting shows the portrait of an unidentified gentleman with his helmet on a column shaft which may symbolise the sitter's fortitude or, since it is broken, his misfortunes. In the 19th century this portrait was attributed to Titian.