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Portrait of a Young Man

1470s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 611

This is the only surviving independent portrait by Tura, the imaginative court artist at Ferrara. It shows an unidentified member of the ruling Este family whose features resemble those of Tura’s patron Borso d’Este. The small, narrow format suggests the painting was designed to be portable, likely stored in a leather or parchment case when moved around. The profile view prevailed in Italy well into the fifteenth century, eventually replaced by the three-quarter view. For more about this painting, including its fascinating conservation history, visit its collection record at The Met website.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Young Man
  • Artist: Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) (Italian, Ferrara ca. 1433–1495 Ferrara)
  • Date: 1470s
  • Medium: Tempera on wood
  • Dimensions: Overall 11 1/8 x 7 3/4 in. (28.3 x 19.7 cm); painted surface 10 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. (27.3 x 14 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.40.649
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
The Flight into Egypt, Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) Italian, Tempera on wood
The Flight into Egypt
Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura)
1470s
Lobster-Tail Burgonet, Steel, leather, gold, North Italian
Lobster-Tail Burgonet
North Italian
ca. 1610
The Adoration of the Shepherds, Bartolo di Fredi Italian, Tempera on poplar, gold ground, Italian
The Adoration of the Shepherds
Bartolo di Fredi
1374
Madonna and Child with the Donor, Pietro de' Lardi, Presented by Saint Nicholas, Master G.Z. (possibly Michele dai Carri, Italian, Ferrara, active by 1405–died 1441 Ferrara) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
Madonna and Child with the Donor, Pietro de' Lardi, Presented by Saint Nicholas
Master G.Z. (possibly Michele dai Carri, Italian, Ferrara, active by 1405–died 1441 Ferrara)
ca. 1420–30
Saint Louis of Toulouse, Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura) Italian, Tempera on canvas, stretched over wood, transferred from wood, gold ground
Saint Louis of Toulouse
Cosmè Tura (Cosimo di Domenico di Bonaventura)
1484?

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