Description
Caravaggio portrays Fra Antonio Martelli, a knight of the Order of Saint John, standing and almost full-length, wearing clothing that emphasizes his military and religious status. The figure emerges directly from a dark background without architectural elements distracting from his presence. The aged and severe face receives particularly intense illumination, while the hands and selected details of the costume structure the remainder of the composition.
Caravaggio combines the dignity expected of an official portrait with remarkably direct observation of the sitter. Rather than rejuvenating or idealizing his features, he records the marks of age and the individuality of the man. The painting belongs to Caravaggio's Maltese period and reflects his close contact with members of the Order of Saint John. The sitter was traditionally identified as Alof de Wignacourt, but the identification as Fra Antonio Martelli has subsequently gained acceptance.
