Where to See Tommaso Portinari and his Wife in New York

Hans Memling painted these companion portraits of Tommaso Portinari and his wife Maria Baroncelli around 1470. The wealthy Italian banker and his spouse are shown in three-quarter view against landscape backgrounds, their faces rendered with the fine detail characteristic of Early Netherlandish painting. Portinari's dark robes contrast with Maria's rich headdress and jewelry.

Portinari managed the Bruges branch of the Medici bank and was an important patron of Flemish artists. Memling's refinement made him the most sought-after portrait painter in Bruges, combining devotional intensity with worldly elegance. These pendants would have hung together in the couple's home as symbols of status and piety. The portraits now belong to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which holds outstanding Northern Renaissance works.

These portrait panels hang at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Met's Northern Renaissance galleries include major works by Memling, van Eyck, and other Flemish masters.

Tommaso Portinari (1428-1501) was an Italian banker who managed the Medici bank's Bruges branch. He was a major patron of Flemish artists, also commissioning Hugo van der Goes's famous Portinari Altarpiece now in Florence.

Hans Memling (c. 1430-1494) was a German-born painter who became the leading artist in Bruges. His refined portraits and religious panels combined spiritual depth with elegant detail.

These portrait panels hang at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Met's Northern Renaissance galleries include major works by Memling, van Eyck, and other Flemish masters.

Hans Memling (c. 1430-1494) was a German-born painter who became the leading artist in Bruges. His refined portraits and religious panels combined spiritual depth with elegant detail.

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