The artwork titled “Tommaso Fedra Inghrami” is a distinguished portrait by the esteemed artist Raphael, dating from circa 1515 to 1516. Executed in oil on board, this piece exemplifies the High Renaissance art movement and is categorized as a portrait. The painting is part of the collection at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy.
In this artwork, Raphael has depicted Tommaso Inghrami, capturing both the physical characteristics and the contemplative mood of his subject. The sitter is dressed in a vibrant red garment with a matching red hat, signifying the attire commonly associated with the clergy or academics of the period. Tommaso Inghrami appears engaged yet distant, with his eyes directed away from the viewer, offering a sense of introspection or quiet reflection.
The figure is shown in three-quarter view, seated behind a desk, with his right hand delicately holding a quill pen and his left hand resting upon a page of an open book, suggesting that he has been interrupted from his writing or study. Another closed book with ornate bindings lies beside the open tome, and a small black inkwell sits on the desk. The positioning of Tommaso’s hands and the presence of the books and pen are indicative of his scholarly pursuits.
Raphael’s mastery is evident through the lifelike rendering of textures and colors, from the luminescent quality of the subject’s skin to the rich, deep red of his attire, contrasted sharply against the subdued background. The precision of detail in the depiction of the hands and the books, as well as the thoughtful expression on Tommaso’s face, all embody the artistic ideals of the High Renaissance, emphasizing clarity, harmony, and the realistic portrayal of subjects.