Artwork
Portrait of a Man

Portrait of a Man is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Rosalba Carriera. It dates from 1710 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a portrait, the piece functions to record the individual's likeness and, by extension, his identity within the cultural context of early 18th‑century Europe.
The work titled Portrait of a Man, executed by Rosalba Carriera in 1710, is classified as a painting and a portrait. According to the catalog entry, the depicted figure is a man, making the sitter the central subject of the composition. As a portrait, the piece functions to record the individual's likeness and, by extension, his identity within the cultural context of early 18th‑century Europe.
The painting is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum’s collection of European works. Its iconography is limited to the representation of a male sitter, a common motif in portraiture of the period.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Man is a pastel painting executed by the Venetian artist Rosalba Carriera in 1710. This work, classified within the portrait genre, depicts a male subject and measures 76 centimeters in height by 59 centimeters in width. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
While the specific commission details and the original owner prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the available records, the creation date is firmly established as 1710. The artwork remains a significant example of Carriera's portraiture from the early eighteenth century, preserved within a major public institution.
The painting Portrait of a Man, created by Rosalba Carriera in 1710, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, which depicts a male subject, is located at this institution in New York. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the museum is confirmed as the current custodian of this portrait. The sources do not contain information regarding any past or present exhibition history for this specific artwork.
Overview
Rosalba Carriera, a prominent Italian Rococo artist, completed Portrait of a Man around 1710. This work exemplifies her significant contribution to the art of pastel portraiture, a medium she helped elevate in eighteenth-century Europe. The painting captures the likeness of an unidentified male sitter, showcasing Carriera's refined technique and her ability to imbue her subjects with a sense of presence. It is currently housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Carriera's mastery of pastel is evident in the delicate rendering of the subject's features and attire. The artist skillfully manipulates light and shadow, particularly across the man's face and chest, to create a strong sense of three-dimensionality. This technique, employing soft gradations of tone, highlights the contours of the figure and contributes to the lifelike quality of the portrait, a hallmark of Carriera's refined aesthetic.
Context
Rosalba Carriera began her artistic journey specializing in miniature portraits before gaining widespread acclaim for her larger works in pastel. Her innovative approach and delicate execution were instrumental in advancing the medium's status and popularity across Europe during the 18th century. Carriera's refined style and technical prowess established her as a leading figure in Rococo art, influencing many contemporaries and future generations.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Rosalba Carriera (12 January 1673 – 15 April 1757) was an Italian Rococo painter.


















