The "Portrait of a Musician" is an unfinished painting by Leonardo da Vinci, created during his early period in Milan, dated approximately between 1483 and 1487.

Key Details

• Medium and Support: The painting is executed in oil, and possibly tempera, on a walnut wood panel.
• Dimensions: It measures 44.7 cm by 32 cm.
• Location: The painting is housed at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan, Italy.

Subject and Identity

• The subject of the painting is a young man depicted from the waist up, facing to the right and wearing a red cap with long, curly hair. He is dressed in a black doublet with a brown stole, typical of the period's fashion.
• The identity of the model remains uncertain. Until the early 20th century, the musical aspect of the painting was unknown, but restoration revealed a hand holding a sheet of music. Various musicians active in Milan have been proposed as the sitter, including Franchinus Gaffurius, Atalante Migliorotti, Josquin des Prez, and Gaspar van Weerbeke, but none of these have been confirmed.

Style and Significance

• The painting marks a shift from the profile portraiture common in 15th-century Milan, influenced by Antonello da Messina's introduction of the Early Netherlandish style.
• It is notable for its intimacy, suggesting it might have been a private commission or one by a personal friend. The work is praised for its intensity and detailed facial features, although it has been criticized for its stoic and wooden qualities.

Condition and Attribution

• Despite being unfinished, the painting is in relatively good condition, with minimal signs of wear or alterations post-Da Vinci's lifetime. It has been part of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana's collection since the 17th century, which has helped preserve it.
• There have been historical doubts about attributing the work to Leonardo da Vinci, with some attributing it to Bernardino Luini or the "school of Luini." However, most scholars now agree that it is indeed a work by Da Vinci.

Historical Context

• The painting dates to Leonardo's first Milanese period (c. 1482–1499), a time when he was producing other notable works such as the "Virgin of the Rocks" and "Lady with an Ermine."
• The stylistic similarities to other works from this period, including the treatment of chiaroscuro, further support its attribution to Da Vinci.