Artwork
Bildnis eines jungen rotbärtigen Mannes im Lehnstuhl
Bildnis eines jungen rotbärtigen Mannes im Lehnstuhl is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Jacopo Tintoretto. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Created around 1560, this oil portrait depicts a young man with a red beard seated in an armchair.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1560, this oil portrait depicts a young man with a red beard seated in an armchair. The sitter is dressed in dark attire, holding a curved sword in one hand while the other rests on a black cape. A white ruff frames his neck, and a plain, shadowy background isolates the figure, emphasizing his solemn expression.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a dignified, possibly aristocratic individual, suggested by the sword and luxurious cape. The restrained pose and direct gaze convey a sense of self‑assurance, while the subdued palette and minimal setting focus attention on the sitter’s character rather than narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Tintoretto employs strong chiaroscuro, allowing light to strike the face and hands, creating a vivid contrast against the surrounding darkness. The brushwork reflects his energetic Mannerist approach, with muscular modeling of the figure and a composition that heightens drama through tight framing and dynamic lighting.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Jacopo Tintoretto, a leading Venetian painter of the Italian Renaissance, is supported by stylistic analysis linking it to his characteristic handling of light and anatomy.
Context
Produced during the later phase of Tintorettos career, the portrait aligns with the Mannerist tendency toward exaggerated forms and heightened emotional tone. It reflects the Venetian court’s taste for portraiture that combined personal status symbols, such as weaponry, with a refined yet forceful visual language.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
