A Knight of Saint John

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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The unknown man in this half-length portrait proudly displays an eight-pointed silver cross suspended from a black cord round his neck, which identifies him as a Knight of the Order of Saint John. His left hand clasps a sword. The pose points to the twin aims of the Order: religious and military strength. The portrait is over life size, making the panel larger than most of Rosso’s other portraits. The Knights of Saint John were a religious order formed in the eleventh century to look after injured crusaders. Having been expelled from Rhodes by the Ottoman Turks, the Order arrived in Rome in 1523. Rosso moved to Rome in late 1523 and it seems plausible that it was here that he met the knight. The costume is not ceremonial, but more sombre ‘outdoor’ clothing.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

A Knight of Saint John

Date

about 1528-30

Medium

Oil on poplar

Measurements

H 96.8 x W 76.2 cm

Accession number

NG932

Acquisition method

Wynn Ellis Bequest, 1876

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

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