literary references that would have been appreciated by the artist's friends. In the background there is a green colored room, that includes a door frame, a Doric column and a capital. Portrait of a Young Man was painted during the Mannerism period. It was done by Bronzino in Italy c.1540. The portrait is 37 5/8 by 29 inches, it's vertical because it's a portrait. The frame cuts the shapes in the painting, this was done purposely in the typical Mannerism style which usually crowded the pictorial area . The painting is supported by wood, opaque oil paints were applied thickly with a fine brush, I was unable to see any distinct brush strokes. The forms are flat except for the beads on the young man's hat which seem to raise off the painting.The portrait contains a simple organization. There are few individual units like the chair and table but the picture is crowded. The shapes are regular and complete with clear defining lines. The painting is geometrically ordered, the chair and table appear to support and reinforce the pose of the young man.The palette the artist used is subdued, plain and limited in contrast to the Mannerists usual conflicting, bright colors. The two dominant colors are black and green. These colors fall into the neutral and cool section of the color spectrum. The light source is subtle and outside the picture but the portrait contains no shadowing. The space is shallow and screened, the perspective is linear causing the young man to be not only the emphasis but to appear close to the observer. The young man is stationary, aloof and is shown from the mid-thigh up. He is dressed in formal tight clothing that gives no indication of whom he is or where he is from. It is possible that the portrait is a cabinet picture which would account for the somber mood of the portrait. ...
