There are statistics that indicate that the average museum-goer spends 7 seconds in front of a painting.
This guy had been studying Raphael's magnificent portrait of Baldessare Castiglione for quite some time,
as I was in the area and noticed his concentration. It is probably my favorite painting in the Louvre,
and I was pleased to know that someone else also appreciates it !

This Raphael portrait stands out to me, because it seems to reflect the personality of the sitter, which can be seen
in the quiet demeanor of the subject, shown in sober colors, with the elegant painted depiction of the fur sleeves and velvet garment.
Raphael and Castiglione were friends, and Raphael is thought to have painted this portrait when Castiglione was
appointed as an Ambassador from the Court of Urbino to the Papacy in about 1514-15.

Baldessare Castiglione, who was considered to be "the perfect courtier" at the Montefeltro court in Urbino.
wrote the famous "Book of the Courtier", detailing the qualities of the perfect gentleman,
which is still read in some literature classes.