A Gentleman of the Emo? Family (poss. Member of the Contarini Family)
Jacopo Robusti, (called Tintoretto)
Italian (Venetian School), 1519-1594
c. 1565-1570
Oil on canvas
Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation
Tintoretto was one of the most sought after portrait painters in Venice. He captured the changing quality of light reflecting off fine fabrics with flashing strokes of white highlights. The Emo family coat of arms appears on the gentleman’s chain. His austere clothing speaks to his civic role within the city and not to personal wealth or position. The Castel Sant’ Angelo in Rome flying the Papal flag is seen through the window.