Bildnis eines jungen Mannes mit schwarzer Mütze und rotem Gewand (Graf Valsassina)

This 1505 portrait of a young man, identified as Count Valsassina, was recorded as part of the collection assembled for Hitler's planned Führermuseum in Linz — one of the most notorious art looting operations of World War II. The early portrait demonstrates Lotto's youthful talent for capturing personality, painted when he was working in the Veneto and developing his distinctive approach to portraiture. The sitter's black cap and red garment follow Venetian fashion conventions of the early sixteenth century.

The vivid contrast between the black cap and red garment creates a bold chromatic effect against the neutral background. Lotto's early handling already shows confidence in modeling flesh tones with Venetian warmth and capturing the sitter's alert, individualized expression.