Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione

This finely executed portrait depicts Baldassare Castiglione, the Italian courtier, diplomat, and author of The Book of the Courtier, based on Raphael's celebrated painting. Reinier van Persijn engraved the piece after a drawing by Joachim von Sandrart. The print includes an eight-line Italian poem in praise of Castiglione, followed by a Latin dedication from Sandrart to Alfonso de Lopez, whose home housed the portrait at the time. The composition faithfully echoes Raphael's dignified portrayal, capturing the humanist grace and introspection of the sitter.