Giovanni Battista Moroni

Renaissance portraitist Giovanni Battista Moroni (c. 1520-1578) created remarkably direct and psychologically penetrating images of the Bergamasque bourgeoisie. Born in Albino near Bergamo, he trained with Moretto da Brescia and also painted religious works, though his portraits secured his reputation. His sitters were mainly local aristocrats, professionals, and merchants rather than major nobility.

Moroni painted his subjects against plain backgrounds with a naturalism and immediacy that distinguished him from more formal court portraitists. The Tailor (1565-70), showing a craftsman with scissors and cloth, represents one of the first full portraits of a working person in Western art. His Pace Rivola Spini may be the first full-length standing portrait of a woman alone. Around 150 portraits survive in good condition. Art historian Roberto Longhi suggested his realism prefigured Caravaggio. Today the National Gallery London holds The Tailor and other major works. The Accademia Carrara in Bergamo preserves the largest collection.