Skip to main content

Domenico Ghirlandaio, 'Portrait of a Young Man in Red', probably about 1480-90

Key facts
Full title Portrait of a Young Man in Red
Artist Domenico Ghirlandaio
Artist dates 1449 - 1494
Date made probably about 1480-90
Medium and support egg tempera on wood
Dimensions 38.7 × 27.6 cm
Acquisition credit Salting Bequest, 1910
Inventory number NG2489
Location Not on display
Collection Main Collection
Previous owners
Portrait of a Young Man in Red
Domenico Ghirlandaio
/

Capturing the physical likeness of a sitter as well as their soul or character was crucial to Renaissance portraiture, and this was made easier with the introduction of the three-quarter view, as used here. It allows us to see more of the sitter’s face and so is more engaging than the previously preferred profile view, which derived from ancient coins and medals.

The turn of the sitter’s torso towards the viewer was, like the landscape setting, a feature of Netherlandish portraiture. The imaginary landscapes usually included a river or lake between a valley and mountains beyond. Distant fortifications, painted in miniature, were also often included to emphasise the breadth of the landscape.

Download image
Download low-resolution image

Download a low-resolution copy of this image for personal use.

License this image

License and download a high-resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.

License image
Download low-resolution image

This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.

Examples of non-commercial use are:

  • Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
  • Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media

The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.

As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.

Download low-resolution image

You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.

Creative Commons Logo