Profile Portrait of a Boy 

Editor: Here we have what is thought to be Francesco del Cossa’s "Profile Portrait of a Boy," created with oil paint during the Italian Renaissance. The darkness of the backdrop really emphasizes the delicate features of the boy; what do you make of it? Curator: It's intriguing, isn't it? I’m always captivated by the Renaissance fascination with profile portraits, they always evoke a sense of stillness and reflection, what stories lie behind the young man’s eyes? Does he represent more than his physical being? Editor: The precision in capturing the details of his face is incredible. Is this typical of portraiture of the time? Curator: Absolutely. Renaissance artists strived for a kind of idealised realism, almost hyperrealism. It was about capturing not just likeness but also status. You know, he seems both vulnerable and poised. Editor: The soft curls of his hair juxtaposed with the severity of the profile is really beautiful. Were portraits like this intended as intimate keepsakes? Curator: In a way, yes, they functioned as both a form of personal memorial and a statement of public identity. But in our modern world, maybe it’s a quiet moment to pause and project ourselves onto him, maybe recall our own youths and that period in our lives, and that's something truly valuable, right? Editor: I agree! I'll never look at a profile portrait the same way. Curator: Precisely. Art speaks when we give it permission. And you did just that.