Who painted Portrait d'un membre de la famille Foscari?

Portrait d'un membre de la famille Foscari was painted by Jacopo Tintoretto in 1555.

Where can I see Portrait d'un membre de la famille Foscari?

Portrait d'un membre de la famille Foscari is held by Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

What movement is Portrait d'un membre de la famille Foscari?

Portrait d'un membre de la famille Foscari is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Portrait d'un membre de la famille Foscari

Jacopo Tintoretto , 1555

Portrait d'un membre de la famille Foscari is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Jacopo Tintoretto. It dates from 1555 and is held in the collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

About this work

Overview

Jacopo Tintoretto painted this portrait in 1555, employing oil on canvas to render a member of Venice’s prominent Foscari family. The work is part of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ holdings and exemplifies the artist’s vigorous handling of paint and his interest in dramatic, Mannerist composition.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, a bearded man with dark hair, is shown seated in a richly patterned red robe, holding a white cloth in his right hand. The pose and attire convey a sense of dignified authority, reflecting the social status of the Foscari lineage within the Venetian Republic.

Technique & Style

Tintoretto’s brushwork is vigorous, creating a lively surface texture that contrasts with the muted brown background. The figure’s muscular form and the exaggerated perspective are hallmarks of the Mannerist style, while the intricate detailing of the robe demonstrates the painter’s skill in rendering luxurious fabrics.

History & Provenance

Since its creation in the mid‑16th century, the portrait has remained in private and institutional collections before entering the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Its documented provenance traces a path from Venice to North America, where it now contributes to the museum’s representation of Italian Renaissance art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacopo Tintoretto

Jacopo Robusti (late September or early October 1518 – 31 May 1594), best known as Tintoretto ( TIN-tə-RET-oh; Italian: ; Venetian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Venetian school.