Artwork
Portrait of a young man with a rose in his hand
Portrait of a young man with a rose in his hand is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Francesco Torbido. It dates from 1522 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Created in 1522, this oil painting depicts a youthful male sitter holding a single red rose.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1522, this oil painting depicts a youthful male sitter holding a single red rose. The figure is rendered against a dark, unadorned backdrop, which isolates his calm expression and emphasizes the contrast between his pale skin and the deep tones of his clothing. The work exemplifies the portrait genre of early 16th‑century Italian art.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, a young man with light brown hair, is presented in a dignified pose, his left hand gently clasping a fresh rose. The flower, rendered in vivid crimson, may allude to themes of love, transience, or personal identity, while the serene demeanor suggests a contemplative or aristocratic character.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the artist employs a pronounced chiaroscuro that models the face and rose with a sculptural quality. Fine details such as the white collar and lace‑trimmed cuff are highlighted against the dark shirt, demonstrating a Mannerist interest in elegant surface treatment and heightened contrast.
History & Provenance
The painting is attributed to Francesco Torbido, known as il Moro, a Venetian‑born painter active in Verona and Venice between the late 15th and mid‑16th centuries. It entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of Italian Renaissance works.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Torbido (Venice 1486–1562) was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period, active mainly in Verona and Venice. He is also known as il Moro.
