Leonardo joined Ludovico il Moro’s court in Milan in 1482, and Boltraffio was one of his pupils by 1490. Rubbing shoulders with the humanists, Boltraffio became known for his portraits, developing his master’s new approach by capturing his sitter’s psychology. This is one of his first portraits. The sitter’s face is marked by grey shadow, and light is handled with skill. Bottom right, we see the motto: “VITA SI SCIAS/ VTI/ LONGA EST” (Life is long if you know how to use it), taken from a dialogue by the Latin philosopher Seneca.
Download hi-res image
TITLE
Portrait of a Young Man
AUTHOR Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio
DATE c. 1491
OBJECT TYPE AND MATERIAL Oil on panel
DIMENSIONS cm 49 x 39
INVENTORY 2123
ROOM XI
Work on display
Share
Related artworks:
By the same author In the same date/era In the same roomVisit
In Evidenza
-
READ MORE
BRERA/MUSICA – Années de pèlérinage. Deuxième Année. Italie
READ MOREAppunti per una resistenza culturale #18
Once upon a time in the library
READ MOREBreraPLUS
