Artwork
Francesco II Gonzaga, Fourth Marquis of Mantua
Francesco II Gonzaga, Fourth Marquis of Mantua is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Baldassare d'Este. It dates from 1477 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:by unknown hand, over the boy's head in black: FRANC MAR M IIII (Francesco, Fourth Marquis of Mantua)
About this work
Technique & Style
While one catalog entry historically misidentified the medium as oil on canvas, the authoritative corpus description confirms the use of tempera on wood.
The portrait is executed in tempera on a poplar panel, created in 1477 by Baldassare d'Este. The work measures 26.5 cm in height and 21 cm in width. While one catalog entry historically misidentified the medium as oil on canvas, the authoritative corpus description confirms the use of tempera on wood.
The painting depicts the subject in profile against a blue background, a composition typical of the period's portraiture style.
History & Provenance
The work was originally owned by Boston businessman Quincy Shaw, as noted in correspondence from Lionello Venturi to Schoenemann Galleries in March 1940.[1] It was subsequently sold by Schoenemann Galleries to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation on 24 July 1940,[2] and later gifted to the National Gallery of Art in 1943. The painting is attributed to Baldassare d'Este and depicts Francesco II Gonzaga, Fourth Marquis of Mantua, in profile against a blue background, rendered in tempera on poplar panel.
The painting is held at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it is part of the Samuel H. Kress Collection. Its inventory number is 1943.1.1. The work was previously owned by Quincy Shaw of Boston and was sold by Schoenemann Galleries to the Kress Foundation in 1940 before being gifted to the National Gallery in 1943.
Overview
Created around 1477, this tempera on poplar panel portrait is attributed to Baldassare d'Este. It depicts Francesco II Gonzaga, the fourth Marquis of Mantua, presented in a restrained, profile view against a uniform deep‑blue background that isolates the figure and emphasizes his facial features.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears as a young nobleman, his profile turned toward the viewer. He wears a low‑set dark hat and a richly colored collar edged with beads, while his long, reddish‑gold hair cascades past his shoulders. The composition conveys status and dignity through the controlled pose and minimal decorative elements.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
- Giovanni II Bentivoglio
Portrait of a Man
Profile Portrait of a Boy
Profile Portrait of a Young Man
Portrait of a Young Man
A Young Man
Matteo Olivieri (?)
Portrait of Lionel d'Este
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a man (Alvise Contarini?)
Portrait of Alvise Contarini(?); (verso) A Tethered Roebuck
Kaiser Ferdinand I. (1503-1564), Profilbildnis