Artwork
Portrait of a Young Man
Portrait of a Young Man is a paint painting by the Mannerist artist Bronzino. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Bronzino's naturalistic rendering emphasizes poise and intellectual refinement, reflecting contemporary ideals of noble virtue and humanist values.
The painting portrays an unidentified adolescent boy wearing a hat and holding a book, symbolizing youthful learning and aristocratic education in Renaissance courts. Bronzino's naturalistic rendering emphasizes poise and intellectual refinement, reflecting contemporary ideals of noble virtue and humanist values. The work functions as a visual emblem of status and erudition among the elite of 16th-century Florence.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in paint on a poplar panel, a support commonly favored by Florentine painters of the period. It is classified as a painting and falls within the portrait genre, depicting a boy wearing a hat and holding a book.
Stylistically, the portrait is consistent with Bronzino's refined Mannerist approach, characterized by polished surfaces, controlled handling, and an emphasis on elegant linearity. The composition centers on the young sitter, with attributes such as the hat and book lending the image a thoughtful, introspective character typical of mid-sixteenth-century Florentine portraiture.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Portrait of a Young Man was created by Agnolo Bronzino in 1560 as a portrait. It was executed in paint on a poplar panel and originally belonged to the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display. The work entered the museum's collection through a formal acquisition, establishing its current ownership chain from its inception in 1560 to the present.
Its provenance is documented by the Gemäldegalerie's records, which confirm its location and custodianship since the mid-20th century.
The portrait depicts a young boy wearing a hat and holding a book, reflecting Bronzino's skill in capturing youthful subjects with refined realism. The painting's creation history is anchored to the year 1560, consistent with Bronzino's documented output during the late Renaissance period in Florence.
Portrait of a Young Man is housed in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, where it is catalogued under the inventory number 2005.00156. The work has been part of the museum’s permanent display since its acquisition, contributing to ongoing exhibitions of Renaissance portraiture.
Overview
Portrait of a Young Man, a 16th-century oil painting, is a characteristic work of the Italian Mannerist style, attributed to Bronzino, a prominent Florentine artist known for his refined portraiture.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Agnolo di Cosimo (Italian:; 17 November 1503 – 23 November 1572), usually known as Bronzino (Italian: Il Bronzino ) or Agnolo Bronzino, was an Italian Mannerist painter from Florence.
