In this artwork, how is the History discussed?
The identification of the painting's subject as the Venetian cardinal Ludovico Trevisan is confirmed by several copies of the work, as that once in the Bromley Davenport Collection including the man's name, titles and coat of arms, as well as by a medal attributed to Cristoforo di Geremia or an etching included in the  1630 Illustrium virorum elogia, where it is also specified that the portrait belonged to Francesco Leone of Padua.
Cardinal Trevisan, later also known as  Scarampi Mezzarota, took part in the council of Mantua in 1459: the portrait was commissioned from Mantegna when the artist was still in Padua, shortly before he established himself in Mantua.
Ludovico Trevisan Cristoforo di Geremia Padua Bromley Davenport Collection council of Mantua