Bildnis eines jungen Mannes,
um 1505/10
Material / Technology / Carrier
Pappelholz
Dimensions of the object
69,4 x 53,6 cm
Displayed
AP EG Saal XII
Acquisition
Aus der Kurfürstlichen Galerie Schleißheim
Stock
Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München
Citation
Giorgio da Castelfranco, gen. Giorgione, Bildnis eines jungen Mannes, um 1505/10, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen - Alte Pinakothek München, URL: https://www.sammlung.pinakothek.de/en/artwork/jpxepq34J7 (Last updated on 23.10.2023)
The art of capturing both internal and outward movement in portraiture is a singular innovation that 16th-century viewers already recognized as the achievement of Giorgione da Castelfranco, called Giorgione. This painting exemplifies a new type of portrait that is considered one of his most innovative pictorial inventions. Spontaneously, almost impulsively, the young man depicted here turns to face the viewer. As a result, we can observe the sitter from different sides simultaneously – he turns his back to us and shows his face at the same time. This may be interpreted as a pictorial comment on the rivalry between the arts of painting and sculpture that flared up around this time. At the same time, the posture helps to engage the viewer into a dialogue by subtly addressing different senses: While the sitter’s elegant fox fur and quilted satin sleeve are of an enticingly tactile quality, the energetic turn of his head suggests a reaction to something just heard.
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