Portrait of a Man Holding a Small "Petrarch" (private collection) was already some time ago very accurately attributed to Parmigianino by Philip Pouncey. It is a good example of small-size portraits painted by the artist for private commissioners in Rome in 1526. The painting reflects the influence of Raphael, under which Parmigianino was at that time: his style is reminiscent of the one represented by the exponents of the Northern-European school of
portraiture (Jean Clouet, A Man with a "Petrarch", Windsor Castle). At the same time, it is akin to the style of artists from the circle of Raphael (Gian Francesco Penni, Portrait of a Man, Dublin, National Gallery of Ireland). The role and influence of Parmigianino in the development of this kind of portraiture — intimate, destined to a circle of close friends of the sitter — seems to be very significant.