Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus (born about 1446, died 1506) 1519

Sebastiano del Piombo's 1519 "Portrait of a Man, Said to be Christopher Columbus" depicts a man in a dark, somber outfit, his face conveying a sense of seriousness. The inscription, "COLVMBV ANTIPODVM.PRIMVS.ORBE.NVVS," links the subject to Christopher Columbus and his voyages, though the sitter's identity remains debated. Del Piombo, a master of Venetian and Roman Renaissance styles, captures the subject with realistic detail, evident in the sharp rendering of the man's features and the subtle play of light and shadow across his attire. This artwork exemplifies the high Renaissance portrait style, capturing the individual and their place in history.