Who painted Portrait of an Old Man?

Portrait of an Old Man was painted by Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio in 1520.

Where can I see Portrait of an Old Man?

Portrait of an Old Man is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of an Old Man?

Portrait of an Old Man is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Portrait of an Old Man

Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio , 1520

Portrait of an Old Man is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio, a Florentine painter of the early sixteenth century and son of the renowned Domenico Ghirlandaio, completed an oil portrait in 1520 that depicts an elderly gentleman. The work exemplifies the Mannerist tendency toward stylized representation while retaining a clear focus on the sitter’s individual character. It is presently part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a close‑up view of an older man with white hair and a full beard, dressed in a dark beret and a black robe trimmed with a white collar. His expression is solemn, and the plain, dark backdrop isolates him, inviting contemplation of his age and status without narrative distraction.

Technique & Style

Ridolfo employed a pronounced chiaroscuro, using gradual tonal shifts to model the facial features against the shadowy background. The oil medium allows for fine gradations of light, giving the skin a luminous quality while the surrounding darkness accentuates the sitter’s gaze. This handling aligns with Mannerist preferences for elegant elongation and refined surface treatment.

History & Provenance

Created in Florence during the height of the Italian Renaissance, the portrait entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings at an unspecified later date, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Ridolfo has been affirmed through stylistic comparison with other works by the artist and documentary evidence linking the painting to his workshop.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio

Ridolfo di Domenico Bigordi, better known as Ridolfo Ghirlandaio (14 February 1483 – 6 June 1561) was an Italian Renaissance painter active mainly in Florence. He was the son of Domenico Ghirlandaio.