Veronica

Veronica, painted around 1515, is an early work from Pontormo's formative period. The image of the woman holding the cloth bearing Christ's face was deeply popular in Renaissance devotion. At this early stage, Pontormo was still absorbing the lessons of his master Andrea del Sarto and of Fra Bartolomeo, whose influence can be seen in the classical composition. Characteristic of Pontormo's approach, the work displays intense psychological expressiveness, acidic colors, compressed spatial drama, anti-classical tension.

The painting shows Pontormo's early mastery of oil technique, with smooth, carefully modulated flesh tones and restrained but effective chiaroscuro. The composition is more conventional than his later works, reflecting his training in the High Renaissance tradition.