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
- Artist
- Italian, Florentine
- 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.