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Portrait of a Young Man

probably ca. 1470
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 604

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

Object Information
  • 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

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts, Biagio d'Antonio Italian, Tempera on wood, gilt ornaments
Scenes from the Story of the Argonauts
Biagio d'Antonio
The Story of Joseph, Biagio d'Antonio Italian, Tempera on wood
The Story of Joseph
Biagio d'Antonio
Three Miracles of Saint Zenobius, Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi) Italian, Tempera on wood
Three Miracles of Saint Zenobius
Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi)
ca. 1500
Portrait of a Woman with a Man at a Casement, Fra Filippo Lippi Italian, Tempera on wood
Portrait of a Woman with a Man at a Casement
Fra Filippo Lippi
ca. 1440
Federico Gonzaga (1500–1540), Francesco Francia Italian, Tempera on wood, transferred from wood to canvas and then again to wood
Federico Gonzaga (1500–1540)
Francesco Francia
1510

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