Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Jacopo Tintoretto in 1540-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Man?

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

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Jacopo Tintoretto , 1540

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Jacopo Tintoretto. It dates from 1540 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition follows the conventions of Renaissance portraiture, emphasizing the sitter’s facial features and attire without overt allegorical attributes.

The work titled Portrait of a Man, painted by Jacopo Tintoretto in 1540, presents a single male sitter rendered in oil on canvas. The composition follows the conventions of Renaissance portraiture, emphasizing the sitter’s facial features and attire without overt allegorical attributes. As the sole figure depicted, the painting functions as a record of an unidentified patron’s appearance, reflecting the period’s interest in individual likeness rather than symbolic narrative.

The lack of additional iconographic elements suggests that the portrait’s meaning is tied to the social status of the sitter, conveyed through clothing and posture rather than overt symbolism.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1540 by Jacopo Tintoretto, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 112.7 cm in height and 88.9 cm in width. As a formal portrait, the composition focuses on a male subject, adhering to the genre conventions of the mid-sixteenth century.

The application of oil paint on a woven canvas support represents the standard medium for Venetian artists of this period, allowing for the specific textural and chromatic qualities associated with Tintoretto's early style. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Overview

Jacopo Tintoretto, a prominent Venetian painter of the Italian Renaissance, completed Portrait of a Man in 1540. This oil painting exemplifies the Mannerist style, characterized by its dramatic approach to representation. The work, now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, presents a formal depiction of an unidentified male subject, showcasing the artist's distinctive vision.

Context

Created during the height of the Italian Renaissance, this work positions Tintoretto within the Venetian school, known for its rich color and expressive qualities. The painting's adherence to Mannerist principles, such as heightened drama and a focus on the human form's expressive potential, reflects broader artistic trends of the mid-16th century.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Jacopo Tintoretto

Jacopo Robusti (late September or early October 1518 – 31 May 1594), best known as Tintoretto ( TIN-tə-RET-oh; Italian:; Venetian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Venetian school.