Who painted Portrait of a gentleman in black?

Portrait of a gentleman in black was painted by Marco Basaiti in 1521.

Where can I see Portrait of a gentleman in black?

Portrait of a gentleman in black is held by Accademia Carrara.

What movement is Portrait of a gentleman in black?

Portrait of a gentleman in black is associated with High Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a gentleman in black?

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

Artwork

Portrait of a gentleman in black

Marco Basaiti , 1521

Portrait of a gentleman in black is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Marco Basaiti. It dates from 1521 and is held in the collection of the Accademia Carrara.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1521 by Venetian High Renaissance painter Marco Basaiti, Portrait of a gentleman in black is an oil-on-panel painting featuring an unidentified young man attired in somber black clothing.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a serious-looking young gentleman with long brown hair and a beard, engages the viewer with a direct gaze while holding a rolled paper, an element that may symbolize his profession, intellectual pursuits, or personal attributes, though its specific significance remains unclear due to the lack of identification.

Technique & Style

Basaiti employs a stark contrast between the subject's dark, voluminous clothing and the lighter, muted background, accentuating the gentleman's facial features. The overall composition reflects the Venetian Renaissance emphasis on portraiture's expressive potential.

History & Provenance

Documented in a 1530 Venetian guild ledger, Basaiti's activity among notable contemporaries like Giovanni Bellini is confirmed. The painting is now part of the Accademia Carrara's collection in Bergamo, Italy.

Context

As part of Basaiti's predominantly portraiture-focused oeuvre, this work exemplifies the High Renaissance's fascination with individual representation, blending realism with an aura of dignified reserve characteristic of the period.

Portrait of an unknown man, Master of the Female Half-Lengths

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Artist & collection

Artist

Marco Basaiti

Marco Basaiti (c. 1470 – 1530) was a Venetian painter of the Renaissance who worked mainly in Venice and was a contemporary of Giovanni Bellini and Cima da Conegliano. He has been referred to by several names including…