The Man in Furs

The Man in Furs

A serious gentleman in an exceptionally serious quantity of fur.

Painted in Lombardy around 1540, this anonymous portrait shows a gentleman holding a letter, apparently contemplating its contents with considerable gravity. We cannot tell you what the letter said. We can, however, confirm that the coat was making an impression.

The original portrait

The sitter is an unidentified man painted by an anonymous Lombard artist around 1540. His raised hand rests below his heart while he holds a letter, suggesting a moment of private reflection. The National Gallery of Art notes the artist's familiarity with Venetian painters such as Lorenzo Lotto.

Portrait character: THE GENTLEMAN
Original artist: Italian (Lombard) Painter, anonymous
Original date: c. 1540