Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

1. Subject and Composition: The painting portrays Baldassarre Castiglione, a prominent Italian courtier, diplomat, and author of the Renaissance period. He is seated against a muted, earthy brown backdrop, which enhances the focus on his gentle and contemplative expression. Castiglione's pose is relaxed yet dignified, embodying the humanist ideals of refinement and intellectual prowess.

2. Attire and Details: Castiglione is dressed in an elegant black doublet with a fur collar and a white undergarment, which emphasizes his elevated status and sophistication. The meticulous rendering of the fur and fabric showcases Raphael’s mastery of texture and detail. His modest headgear, a black beret, frames his face, drawing attention to his calm and thoughtful countenance.

3. Facial Expression and Gaze: The sitter’s face is painted with delicate precision, capturing his wise and introspective nature. His eyes are particularly mesmerizing, conveying a sense of depth and intelligence. The softness in his gaze and the gentle handling of light and shadow on his face evoke a sense of warmth and humanity.

4. Use of Light and Color: Raphael employs a subtle chiaroscuro technique to bring a lifelike quality to Castiglione’s face, gently sculpting his features with light and shadow. The restrained color palette, dominated by blacks, whites, and browns, contributes to the painting's serene and dignified atmosphere.

1. Artist: Raphael Raffaello, also known simply as Raphael, was one of the leading figures of the High Renaissance. Born in Urbino in 1483, he quickly established himself as a master painter and architect. His works are celebrated for their clarity, harmony, and grace.

2. Museum: The "Portrait of Baldassarre Castiglione" is housed in the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France. The Louvre boasts one of the most extensive and revered collections of art in the world, making it a fitting home for this masterwork.

3. Artistic Movement and Career Phase: This portrait is considered one of Raphael’s masterpieces in the field of portraiture, reflecting his mature style characterized by psychological depth and compositional harmony. Painted around 1514-1515, it mirrors the apex of the High Renaissance, a period marked by the pursuit of balance, proportion, and the idealization of human beauty. This phase in Raphael's career was marked by his growing prominence and artistic refinement.

4. Noteworthy Details:
- Humanist Influence: The portrait exemplifies the Renaissance humanist spirit, focusing on the inner character and dignity of the individual rather than just physical likeness.
- Connection to the Sitter: Baldassarre Castiglione was not only a significant cultural figure but also a close friend of Raphael. This personal connection may have lent a deeper emotional resonance to the portrayal.
- Comparison to Other Works: Compared to other portraits of the same era, this painting stands out for its intimate, almost conversational quality, avoiding the stiffness that can characterize formal portraiture.

In summary, Raphael's "Portrait of Baldassarre Castiglione" is a consummate example of High Renaissance portraiture, capturing both the physical presence and the intellectual essence of its subject with extraordinary finesse and insight.