Portrait of a Man (The Condottiero) 1475

Antonello da Messina painted this portrait, *The Condottiero,* using oil on wood, sometime in the mid-15th century. Oil paint was still a relatively new medium in Italy at this time, prized for its ability to capture light and detail with precision. Antonello’s mastery is on full display here, particularly in the rendering of the sitter’s skin tones and the subtle textures of his hair and clothing. The smooth, almost enamel-like surface is a testament to the artist’s skill in layering and blending the oil paint. But this isn’t just about technical prowess; it’s about the social status that such skill could convey. Commissioned portraits like this were luxury goods, and only a wealthy patron could afford to have their likeness captured with such care. By emphasizing the material qualities of oil paint, Antonello elevated the craft of painting, blurring the lines between artisanal skill and high art.