Angelo Bronzino (1502 Monticelli / Florence - 1563 Florence)

Angelo Bronzino (1502 Monticelli / Florence - 1563 Florence), Portrait of a Young Man, around 1530-40.
After completing his apprenticeship with the Mannerist painter Jacopo Pontorm, Angelo Bronzino worked closely with him from 1522. In addition to many religious works, he soon created allegorical paintings that adorned the Medici palaces.
Bronzino has also created numerous portraits for his aristocratic clients, which, with their high level of detail, undermine the social role of the person portrayed. With this representative rigor, he achieved the highest reputation in his field.
The young man portrayed here, with his noble nature and thoughtful, slightly melancholic expression, turns to the viewer and mysteriously emerges from the dark background. At the same time, there is something touching in it.
The elegant collar adds contrast to the youthful face, with fine skin. It can be assumed that the young man portrayed may be a member of the Medici family. The young man's connection with the aristocratic family is also indicated by the gold medallion in his right hand.
This portrait is characterized by high painting quality. Similar portraits, such as the painting by Cosimo I. de Medici, The Man with the Statue and several others, show the great mastery of Bronzino and make our painting as believable as his work. Oil on wood, 81,5 x 63,5 cm