| Summary: | Description: In the 1930s, this picture was thought to represent Christopher Columbus. It is now believed to show the navigator and explorer Sebastian Cabot on the basis of facial similarity with other portraits. Cabot led English sea expeditions. He may also have accompanied his father, John, on the historic voyage when he discovered Newfoundland. The Venetian painter of this work, Lorenzo Lotto, is known for his psychologically searching portraits, a quality evident here in the contemplative pose adopted by this gentleman. Lotto worked mostly for provincial patrons around Venice, but also travelled to Rome and North Italy.
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