Self Portrait
1435
Bronze Relief
Bronze
Collection of National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, USA
Alberti’s impact on the art world was recognised in his lifetime, he memorialised his own image before he reached the pinnacle of his fame. “Self Portrait” is a modest-sized medallion measuring approximately seven by five inches. It is, however, an important first in Alberti’s oeuvre. The oval relief acknowledges the legacy of classical culture in its resemblance to a cameo. Alberti is remembered for many things, especially his writings and building designs, “Self Portrait” is a piece that proves his skill as an artist and his admiration of antiquity.
Leon Battista Alberti
Early Renaissance
Born: 14 February 1404, Genoa, Italy
Nationality: Italian
Died: 25 April 1472, Rome, Italy
Alberti was a humanist author, architect, artist, poet, linguist, philosopher, priest, and cryptographer. He exemplified the nature of the polymath and is considered the founder of Western cryptography
Jezzie G 