Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo

Formerly attributed to none other than Leonardo, this painting should in fact be considered as one of the finest portraits by Bartolomeo Veneto: as we see in the folded scroll in the sitter’s hand, this is Bernardino da Lesmo, master of the house to Count Girolamo Moroni. The painting is noteworthy for its attention to detail: the white shirt, the lace protruding from the sleeves, the three rings on the left hand, the right hand resting on the hilt of a dagger, and the sumptuous drapery that forms the backdrop.