A Young Man

Italian 17th Century

1501

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance sitting

About this work

This painting shows a young man's portrait. He's dressed in simple clothes and looks straight ahead. The artist used a mix of pen, ink, and chalk to create this work, which is interesting because it was made during a time when most artists used paint. The use of brown ink and red chalk gives the portrait a warm feel. This combination of materials is notable because it allows for delicate lines and subtle shading. To learn more about this style, look into the technique: cross-hatching.