Attributed to
Giovanni Battista Moroni
, Italian, c.1521/24-1579/80
Title
Portrait of an Unknown ManDatec.1565
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
119 x 101 cm
Credit LinePresented, Executors of the late Sir Claude Phillips, 1925
Object numberNGI.860
Label TextMoroni frequently painted his sitters looking directly out of the picture while standing against a simple grey background. In this portrait, a framed device of a volcano and a phoenix, hanging behind the unidentified man, has a typically enigmatic motto – Huc Cursus. This quote from Virgil’s Aeneid suggests pride in being Italian. The handling of the face and hands, and even the ruff, lacks the finesse of other works by Moroni. It was presented to the National Gallery of Ireland as by a follower of the artist, but was recently reassessed.