Portret van Bartolomeo Colleoni 1549 - 1575

This small portrait of Bartolomeo Colleoni is an engraving, presenting us with a study in contrasts and textures. The composition is neatly organized within an oval frame, immediately drawing our eyes to the profile of Colleoni. The anonymous artist masterfully employs hatching and cross-hatching to define form and create tonal variation. Notice how the armor is meticulously rendered, reflecting light in a way that suggests both its metallic hardness and the delicate patterns etched onto its surface. This attention to detail extends to the face, where subtle lines convey age and character. Consider the semiotic implications of the armor itself. It’s not merely protective gear but a signifier of status, power, and the martial virtues associated with Colleoni's role as a condottiero. The floral decoration surrounding the frame suggests a connection to humanist ideals, perhaps hinting at the subject's cultural sophistication beyond the battlefield. The print invites us to contemplate the complex interplay between representation and reality, image and identity.