Antonio de Solario – Saint Ursula (reverse) Part 1 National Gallery UK

The composition presents a central portrait encased within an elaborate decorative frame. Here we observe a male figure, identified by his beard and attire as potentially a religious or historical personage. He is depicted in profile, seated and holding what appears to be a book or tablet, suggesting scholarship or spiritual authority. The man’s gaze is directed outward, conveying a sense of contemplation or perhaps addressing an unseen audience.
Flanking the portrait are two cherubic figures with wings, positioned as supporting elements within the overall design. They hold aloft a heraldic shield displaying a complex coat of arms. This suggests a connection to a specific family or noble lineage, indicating that the work may have been commissioned for private devotion or display within a household.
The frame itself is richly ornamented with gilded foliage and scrollwork, creating an opulent visual environment around the central figure. Above the portrait, an inscription in Latin – BENEDICTA TV-INTER MVLIIERES ET·B·F·V·T – adds another layer of meaning, likely a devotional phrase or biblical reference intended to enhance the spiritual significance of the work.
The dark background contrasts sharply with the gilded frame and the lighter tones of the portrait, drawing attention to the central figure and emphasizing his importance within the composition. The overall effect is one of solemnity and reverence, suggesting that this image was created for a purpose beyond mere aesthetic pleasure – likely as an object of veneration or remembrance. The presence of the heraldic shield implies a deliberate association with a specific patron or family, further grounding the work in a particular social context.