Unknown Artist, Emilia, Italy, 16th century
, Italian, fl.1575-1600
Title
Portrait of a Young GentlemanDatec.1580s
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
109 x 97 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1856
Object numberNGI.88
ProvenancePurchased, Mr R. Macpherson, Rome, 1856Exhibition HistoryThe Irish Institution, 1857The Irish Institution, 1860
From Titian to Delacroix: Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, Yokohama Sogo Museum of Art, 25 August 1993 - 17 October 1993; Chiba Sogo Museum of Art, 10 November 1993 - 20 December 1993; Prefectural Museum of Art, Yamaguchi, 05 January 1994 - 20 February 1994; Kobe City Museum, 25 February 1994 - 10 April 1994; Isetan Museum of Art, 14 April 1994 - 24 May 1994
European Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, National Gallery, Canberra, 25 June 1994 - 3 October 1994; Art Gallery of New South Wales, 21 October 1994 - 15 January 1995
Label TextThis striking portrait remains a mystery: the identities of both the sitter and the painter are unknown. The pose and composition are reminiscent of contemporary portraits by Titian and Veronese, implying that the artist was familiar with their work. The young man is elegantly dressed and is accompanied by a saluki - a type of hunting hound - indicating that he was a member of an Italian aristocratic family. Dogs are often included in portraits as symbols of fidelity.