Giovanni Bellini - The Doge Leonardo Loredan, 1501-4, 62 x 45cm. Leonardo Loredan was the Doge (head of state) of the Venetian Republic from 1501-21. He is shown here wearing his robes of state for this formal portrait, including the hat and ornate buttons. The expression on the right, lit side, of his face is more severe, while the left side, in shadow, is more benevolent. By graduating the blue of the background, more intense towards the top and lighter at the bottom, Bellini invokes the sky. The strong directionality of the light and its reflections in Loredon’s eyes suggest that he is looking towards the setting sun. But this hint of time passing, combined with Loredon’s aged face, recalls the old comparison between the duration of the day and the span of human life, and the inevitable coming of the night.