Artwork
Portrait of a Young Man (probably the Artist's Son, John Medina the Younger, died 1764)
Portrait of a Young Man (probably the Artist's Son, John Medina the Younger, died 1764) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist John Baptist Medina. It dates from 1705 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of a Young Man, created in 1705 by Sir John Baptist Medina, is an oil painting depicting a youthful subject, believed to be the artist's son, John Medina the Younger, who died in 1764.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, likely the artist's son, is portrayed sitting with a neutral expression, directly engaging the viewer. He holds a wooden drawing board with a metal clip, suggesting an artistic inclination, possibly hinting at familial artistic lineage.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Rococo style, the painting features characteristic elements such as the use of a dark background to highlight the subject, and meticulous attention to detail in the portrayal of textures, from the subject's curly light hair to the fabrics and wooden drawing board.
History & Provenance
Painted during Medina's active period in the British Isles, the work is now part of the collection at the Scottish National Gallery, reflecting the artist's professional ties to the region.
Context
Medina's broader oeuvre includes notable portraiture and early illustrations for John Milton’s *Paradise Lost*, positioning this portrait within a career marked by both artistic and literary collaborations.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir John Baptist Medina (1659 – 5 October 1710) was an artist of Flemish-Spanish origin who worked in England and Scotland, mostly as a portrait painter, though he was also the first illustrator of Paradise Lost by John Milton in 1688.
