Portrait of Cardinal Carlo de' Medici 1466

Andrea Mantegna’s 1466 “Portrait of Cardinal Carlo de’ Medici” is a masterful example of Early Renaissance portraiture. The cardinal’s gaze is direct and intense, conveying his authority and intelligence. The subtle rendering of the fabric, particularly the soft folds of the cardinal’s red robe, reveals Mantegna's attention to detail and his ability to capture the textures of the real world. This intimate portrayal of the influential church leader, now in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, reflects the growing interest in humanist ideals and the individual during the Italian Renaissance.