“Portrait of Fra Theodoro da Urbino,” an artwork created by Giovanni Bellini in 1515, exemplifies the High Renaissance art movement. This oil on canvas portrait measures 49.5 x 63 cm and is currently housed in the National Gallery, London, UK.
The artwork depicts an elderly man, identified as Fra Theodoro da Urbino, gazing pensively to his left. He is adorned in a dark monastic habit, possibly signifying his religious vocation, and wears a black cap on his head. Behind him, a richly decorated green backdrop features intricate floral patterns, lending a sense of depth and vibrancy to the composition. Fra Theodoro holds a white lily in his hand, symbolizing purity or martyrdom, and clutches a red-bound book, suggesting scholarly or spiritual pursuits. The application of light and shadow on his face underscores his serene and contemplative expression, a hallmark of Bellini’s masterful portraiture techniques.
