Who painted Head of a Young Man?

Head of a Young Man was painted by Filippino Lippi in 1404.

Where can I see Head of a Young Man?

Head of a Young Man is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Head of a Young Man?

Head of a Young Man is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Head of a Young Man?

Museum-quality prints of Head of a Young Man are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Head of a Young Man

Filippino Lippi , 1404

Head of a Young Man is a drawing by the Renaissance artist Filippino Lippi. It dates from 1404 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1968.19
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

Created around 1404 by Filippino Lippi, Head of a Young Man is a drawing that stands out in the artist's predominantly religious oeuvre. It portrays a youthful subject in a close-up, shoulder-up composition, emphasizing the face.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a young man, is rendered with attention to psychological depth, though the drawing does not convey a specific narrative or identity beyond capturing a likeness. The focus is on the individual's character and appearance.

Technique & Style

Executed in a range of grays and browns, the drawing showcases Filippino Lippi's refined draftsmanship. Notably, the textured, soft, and curly hair adds a lifelike quality, highlighting the artist's skill in suggesting volume and depth.

History & Provenance

Trained in his father Filippo Lippi's workshop, Filippino Lippi primarily worked in oils, tempera, and fresco. This drawing, an exception in medium, predates his later, more renowned Florentine works but already exhibits the psychological insight characteristic of his mature style.

Context

Head of a Young Man reflects the artistic values of the late Early Renaissance to early High Renaissance transition in Florence, where detailed, psychologically nuanced portraiture was gaining prominence.

Legacy

While not a religious work, the drawing demonstrates Filippino Lippi's early mastery of portraiture techniques that would influence his later, more celebrated religious and secular paintings in Florence.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Filippino Lippi

Filippino Lippi (probably 1457 – 18 April 1504) was an Italian Renaissance painter mostly working in Florence, Italy during the later years of the Early Renaissance and first few years of the High Renaissance.