| This study was inspired by Manuel B. Cossio’s art criticism observations on the possibility of identifying a young man, depicted in an untitled portrait, as Don John of Austria, the half-brother of Philip II of Spain, and on whether the portrait could be ascribed to Domenicos Theotocopoulos. The above hypotheses are supported by certain historical facts: the glamorous effect on contemporary artists of the figure of Don John, Grand Admiral of the Holy League, after the battle of Lepanto, and his family relationship with the Farnese, Theotocopoulos’ patrons. The portrait is in the Museo Romantico in Madrid. |