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Artwork

Portrait of a Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, Martin de Redin

Mattia Preti , 1660

Portrait of a Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, Martin de Redin is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Mattia Preti. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Mattia Preti’s oil portrait, dated to around 1660, depicts Martin de Redin, a Grand Master of the Knights of Malta. Executed on canvas, the work is part of the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The composition centers on the sitter in full regalia, presenting a formal, dignified image typical of seventeenth‑century portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is shown in the elaborate dress of a high‑ranking knight, complete with a sword and a flowing cape, underscoring his authority within the Order of Malta. His solemn expression and upright posture convey the gravitas expected of a leader tasked with both military command and religious stewardship.

Technique & Style

Preti employs a chiaroscuro scheme, contrasting illuminated areas of the face and armor with deeper shadows that model the surrounding drapery. This handling of light creates a three‑dimensional presence, while the meticulous rendering of textures—metal, fabric, and flesh—demonstrates the artist’s skill in capturing material richness.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1660, the portrait entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. Its presence in a major American museum reflects the broader dispersal of Baroque works beyond their original European contexts.