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Italian, Florentine, 'Portrait of a Young Man', probably 1475-1500

About the work

Overview

We don‘t know the identity of the young man who gazes directly at us. His elegant costume, fastened so as to almost entirely conceal his white undershirt, and the cloak laid over his left shoulder suggest that he came from a wealthy background. The National Gallery acquired this portrait from the art dealer Stefano Bardini (1854–1922), who was based in Florence.

The portrait may be by Biagio d’Antonio. Although he was born in Florence, Biagio spent most of his career in Faenza, working for the ruling Manfredi family. He is best known for paintings made to decorate furniture, but he also produced a number of portraits. One which relates to our picture is in the Metropolitan Museum, New York.

Biagio’s training in the workshop of the painter and sculptor Andrea del Verrocchio could account for the bust-like character of this portrait. The simple blue background does little to distract from the sitter.

Key facts

Details

Full title
Portrait of a Young Man
Date made
probably 1475-1500
Medium and support
egg tempera on wood
Dimensions
56 × 37 cm
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1889
Inventory number
NG1299
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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