Artwork
Portrait of a young man
Portrait of a young man is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Filippino Lippi. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Filippino Lippi, an Italian painter working at the cusp of the Early and High Renaissance, created a tempera portrait of a young man. Executed circa 1800, the work exemplifies the period’s interest in individualized representation and is now part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a youthful male sitter with short dark hair, a solemn expression, and a modest greenish tunic trimmed with a white collar. The plain, dark backdrop isolates the figure, directing attention to his face and suggesting a focus on personal identity rather than narrative context.
Technique & Style
Rendered in egg tempera, the painting displays a smooth, almost flat surface where fine brushwork defines the facial features and clothing. Muted tonalities dominate, yet subtle highlights on the cheek and forehead create a gentle illumination that models the sitter’s features without resorting to dramatic chiaroscuro.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the portrait entered private hands before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s early Renaissance holdings. Its attribution to Filippino Lippi aligns with the artist’s known output during the transitional phase of Italian painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Filippino Lippi (probably 1457 – 18 April 1504) was an Italian Renaissance painter mostly working in Florence, Italy during the later years of the Early Renaissance and first few years of the High Renaissance.
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