Leonardo da Vincis rare Ritratto Musico Portrait of a Musician) is on show for the first time in Rome. Exhibited in the hexagonal hall of Marcus Aurelius at the Capitoline Museum until the 27 th February, the painting is the only known portrait of a male subject made by Leonardo.
The work is signed and has been dated to around 1485 when the artist first came from Florence to work for the Duke of Milan. Critics have long argued about the identity of the sitter, who must have been one of the leading musicians or choir masters in Milan at the time. The subject is a young man, in half profile, clearly influenced by Flemish art traditions. The likeliest subject is thought to be Leonardos pupil and close friend, Atalante Migliorotti, who followed him to Milan and was a celebrated lyre player in his day.
For the past five centuries, the portrait has been part of the collection of the Venerando Biblioteca Ambrosiano in Milan and this is the first time it has ever left its original seat.
