Historiae Venetae. Libri XII 1551

This 1551 engraving by Cardinal Pietro Bembo portrays a portrait of the artist himself. The work features a bust-length profile view of the artist in his later years. His long white beard and bald head are striking features, highlighting his age and wisdom. The engraving showcases the artist's detailed attention to texture and detail, which is evident in the rendering of the artist's clothing and facial features. The inscription at the bottom of the piece identifies the sitter as "PETRVS BEMBVS CARDINALIS ANNV AGENS LXXVII," indicating that this is a self-portrait created when Bembo was 77 years old. This artwork is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.