Portrait of an Ecclesiastic c. late 1550s

Giovanni Battista Moroni's "Portrait of an Ecclesiastic" is a striking example of Renaissance portraiture, dating back to the late 1550s. This oil-on-canvas painting, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, presents a lifelike depiction of a church official, capturing his solemn demeanor and intellectual pursuits. The subject's piercing gaze, weathered features, and the open book resting on the ledge lend a sense of gravitas and scholarly contemplation, highlighting the individual's role within the religious sphere. The portrait is renowned for its detailed realism, which underscores Moroni's mastery of depicting individual character in his works.