Artwork
Portrait of a Young Man
Portrait of a Young Man is a paint painting by the Early Renaissance artist Raffaellino del Garbo. It is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Raffaellino del Garbo’s 1498 oil painting presents a young gentleman shown from the chest upward. Set against a uniform black backdrop, the work isolates the sitter, emphasizing his complexion and attire. The composition’s restraint directs attention to the subject’s expression, creating a quiet, focused portrait that resides in Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is rendered with pale skin and shoulder‑length brown hair, split down the middle, and gazes toward his left. He wears a dark brown outer garment with a high, stiff collar, complemented by a white ruff at the neckline. The attire and pose suggest a modest status, while the direct gaze invites contemplation of identity and presence.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on panel, the artist employs a limited palette, allowing the deep black background to amplify the contrast between the subject’s light flesh tones and dark clothing. Soft modeling of the face and precise rendering of the fabric’s folds reflect the early Renaissance interest in naturalism and controlled chiaroscuro.
History & Provenance
Created at the close of the 15th century, the portrait entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display. Its documented provenance traces back to the artist’s workshop, though details of its original patron or ownership prior to the museum are not recorded.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Madonna and Child with Saint Joseph and an Angel
The mourning over the dead Christ
Mary enthroned with the child, two angels and two saints
Mary with the child and two angels
Mary enthroned with the child and four saints
Madonna and Child with two angels playing music
Saint John the Baptist
Bust of a Young Woman
