1503
oil
panel
From the collection of Philadelphia Museum of Art
An Old Man and a Young Woman (The Nymph Agapes and Her Old Husband) is a 1503 oil by Jacopo de' Barbari, a Northern Renaissance work, held at Philadelphia Museum of Art.
This painting depicts an elderly man and a young woman in a tender embrace. The man, with a long white beard, wears a red cap and a green cloak draped over his shoulder. He gently places his right hand on the woman's shoulder, while his left hand holds the cloak. The woman, adorned with a green wreath on her head, wears a white dress with a gold stripe and a green cloak. Her right hand rests on her cheek, and her left hand holds the cloak. The scene is set against a dark background, which accentuates the figures and their clothing. The use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's attention to the couple. The intimate portrayal of the couple invites the viewer to ponder their relationship and story. To explore more artworks that employ chiaroscuro, look into the technique of chiaroscuro.
Jacopo de' Barbari, sometimes known or referred to as de'Barbari, de Barberi, de Barbari, Barbaro, Barberino, Barbarigo or Barberigo (c.
See the richer artist page
![View of Venice [lower right block]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/371460ae957995b9/thumb.webp)
