Portrait of a Musician

This intense portrait captures a young man in three-quarter view, his gaze fixed beyond the frame with an almost unnerving concentration. He holds a folded sheet of music, a detail revealed during a 1904-1905 restoration that clarified his identity as a musician. The painting, largely unfinished except for the face and hair, offers a rare glimpse into the artist's process, with its stark contrasts and fewer layers of oil paint than typically seen in his completed works. Created around 1485 in Milan, it represents a departure from the prevalent profile portraits of the time, opting instead for a more direct and intimate encounter with the sitter. The painting's well-preserved state allows us to appreciate the meticulous detail in the subject's features, despite the overall incomplete nature of the panel.