Why it matters
Raphael stands behind an unknown man who holds the hilt of a sword: traditionally said to be his fencing master, now thought to be a close friend or pupil. Whether the left figure is really Raphael is uncertain.
Did you know?
- It dates from 1518–1520.
- It was already identified as a self-portrait in a 16th-century print.
- A significant portion seems to have been painted by a pupil.
Based on the Wikipedia article Self-Portrait with a Friend (CC BY-SA 4.0).
