Artwork
Young Man
Young Man is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Italian 15th Century. It dates from 1464 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This Renaissance-style drawing depicts a young man in a three-quarter view, facing right, set against a blank background. He wears a long-sleeved tunic, head covering, and wide belt, with his right hand grasping an unspecified object and his left hand positioned in front of him.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a youthful figure dressed in attire suggestive of the Renaissance era, though the drawing does not provide clear narrative or biographical context. The object in his right hand remains unidentified, leaving the scene's specific meaning open to interpretation.
Technique & Style
Executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash, the drawing exemplifies Renaissance drafting techniques. Characteristic of this period, the work features nuanced shading and expressive line work, capturing the subject's volume and posture.
History & Provenance
No specific historical or ownership details are provided for this drawing, beyond its attribution to the Renaissance style, indicating a creation date roughly between the 14th to 17th centuries.
Context
Understanding this work benefits from knowledge of the broader Renaissance artistic movement, marked by realism, humanism, and refined draftsmanship. For deeper insight into this style, further research into the Renaissance is recommended.
Artist & collection
Artist
This anonymous Italian engraver from the 1490s carved images that could be peeled apart like paper dolls—each knot in the "First Knot" print was cut from a single sheet so you could lift the loops right off the page.
![The Destruction of the Egyptian Idols [verso], by Italian 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/italian-15th-century--the-destruction-of-the-egyptian-idols-verso--646d3c2b8098cfee-w320.webp)
![The Flight into Egypt [recto], by Italian 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/italian-15th-century--the-flight-into-egypt-recto--8f4d5275d7f90f98-w320.webp)
Standing Youth
Standing Nude Youth![Rider and Standing Draped Man, after the Antique [verso], by Unknown](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/unknown--rider-and-standing-draped-man-after-the-antique-verso--ae6c9bffcbedd3ec-w320.webp)
Rider and Standing Draped Man, after the Antique [verso]
Man with a Stick
Saint Louis of Toulouse Holding a Staff
Saint Louis of Toulouse Holding a Book
A Saint reading ; on his right stands a bishop![A Monk [verso], by Fra Bartolommeo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/fra-bartolommeo--a-monk-verso--c24fd88b1d97b14b-w320.webp)
A Monk [verso]
A Standing Male Figure, Facing Left
Armored Figure on Horseback
Study of a Flayed Torso (verso)
Drawing