Who painted Bildnis eines jungen bärtigen Mannes?

Bildnis eines jungen bärtigen Mannes was painted by Jacopo Tintoretto in 1547.

Where can I see Bildnis eines jungen bärtigen Mannes?

Bildnis eines jungen bärtigen Mannes is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Bildnis eines jungen bärtigen Mannes?

Bildnis eines jungen bärtigen Mannes is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Bildnis eines jungen bärtigen Mannes

Jacopo Tintoretto , 1547

Bildnis eines jungen bärtigen Mannes is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Jacopo Tintoretto. It dates from 1547 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Executed in 1547, the work is a portrait of a youthful, bearded sitter rendered by Jacopo Tintoretto. The canvas presents a tightly cropped figure against an unadorned black backdrop, emphasizing the subject’s solemn demeanor. It is presently displayed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it represents an example of the artist’s late‑career output within the broader Mannerist current.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a young man with dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard, his pale complexion set off by a modest black collar. His gaze is direct and his expression restrained, suggesting a private or perhaps commemorative function rather than an allegorical narrative. The lack of surrounding attributes leaves the identity of the sitter open to speculation.

Technique & Style

Tintoretto employs a stark chiaroscuro, allowing light to model the face while the surrounding darkness recedes, creating a sense of volume that approaches three‑dimensionality. The brushwork is vigorous, characteristic of his nickname “il Furioso,” and the composition reflects the Mannerist taste for heightened contrast and dramatic spatial compression.

History & Provenance

Created during the artist’s mature period in Venice, the portrait entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in the 19th century, where it has remained. Its provenance traces a typical path for many Venetian works, moving from private ownership to public institution, thereby securing its preservation and scholarly access.

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.