Sebastiano del Piombo was one of the greatest portrait painters of any age. While his major works, like this portrait of Christopher Columbus, are instantly recognizable, many would find it hard to name the artist who created them. (Metropolitan Museum, New York)

An exhibition called "Sebastiano del Piombo: 1485-1547" at Palazzo Venezia, the first of its kind, both highlights Sebastiano's exceptional skills as a portraitist and demonstrates why his work once enjoyed such high esteem. Pictured here is Sebastiano's piece titled "Portrait of a Man in Armor," completed in 1512. (Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art , Hartford, CT)

The exhibition features over 100 works by the artist, who in his own time was as famous as his contemporaries Michelangelo, Raphael, Giorgione and Titian. In addition, roughly half of his known drawings will be on display. One of his featured pieces will be "Triple Portrait" shown left. (The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit)

Born in Venice, Sebastiano first entered the studio of Giovanni Bellini and then studied with Giorgione. Inevitably these titans formed his early style, however, Sebastiano is credited as an innovator and major contributor to the development of Venetian painting. Pictured here is his piece titled "Holy Family." (Burgos Cathedral)

Above is one of Sebastiano's key works titled "The Judgment of Solomon," which was completed in 1509. The painting reveals the extraordinary care the artist took in angling the faces and figures of his subjects-a sensitivity that lent a distinct quality to his portraiture. (Kingston Lacy, National Trust)

Michelangelo befriended and promoted Sebastiano, partly because he saw him as a useful rival to Raphael. The sculptor provided advice and drawings for many of Sebastiano's undertakings, including the much praised and discussed Viterbo "Pieta," shown left. (Civic Museum, Viterbo)

In 1526 Sebastiano painted this portrait of Clement VII. Rome was destined to fall only a year after this work was completed. The painting is perhaps the most unsparing of any incumbent of St. Peter's throne. (Museo e Gallerie Nazionali di Capodimonte, Naples)

Sebastiano spent a lifetime experimenting with methods of painting in oil on slate and stone in order to prolong the life of works. His success in this endeavor is visible today. Works like this one titled "Portrait of Cardinal Ferry Carondelet," completed in 1511, have retained an arresting freshness. (Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid)

Vasari quoted Sebastiano as saying it was "as prudent to live quietly as to be ever striving to leave behind a name for oneself after death." This piece titled, "Portrait of Woman as Wise Virgin," is an example of what the artist did leave behind. "Sebastiano del Piombo: 1485-1547," will continue at The Palazzo Venezia until May 18. (National Gallery of Art, Washington)

Lire l'article "Sebastiano del Piombo: Giving a masterful portraitist his due" par Roderick Conway Morris www.nytimes.com