Portrait of a Young Man
This confident young Florentine, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years old, stands before the valley of the Arno river with Florence’s city walls and cathedral in the distance. Aristocratic parents typically commissioned portraits of their sons to mark a special occasion and to celebrate them as heirs—the budding masculinity and authoritative bearing of this unknown adolescent project his suitability for this role. Biagio specialized in works for domestic interiors, including painted wood panels (spalliere) and marriage chests (cassone), an example of which is on view nearby. This is one of just three known portraits by the artist; each depicts a young man before a landscape.
Artwork Details
- Title: Portrait of a Young Man
- Artist: Biagio d'Antonio (Italian, Florentine, active by 1472–died 1516)
- Date: probably ca. 1470
- Medium: Tempera on wood
- Dimensions: Overall 21 3/8 x 15 1/2 in. (54.3 x 39.4 cm); painted surface 20 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. (51.4 x 36.2 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
- Object Number: 32.100.68
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
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