Portrait of a Young Man
- Artist: Raphael
- Date: early 16th and late 19th century
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the "Portrait of a Young Man" painted by Raphael. You can see how closely this young man resembles Raphael's self-portrait in "The School of Athens", but it's actually not his portrait at all, despite its appearance. In fact, technical examination suggests that this painting was made much earlier than we might think, with the face being completely repainted to give it a more aged look.
It's believed to be an old work from the early 16th century, but the layers of paint and varnish have built up over time, making it harder to determine its true age. Interestingly, this painting was purchased by collector George Salting as a self-portrait by Raphael and entered our collection through his estate in 1910.
The style is quite typical of Renaissance art from Italy, with the use of rich colours and detailed backgrounds. Take a closer look at the subject's eyes - they seem to be gazing right into you. The entire painting is rendered in oil on wood, which was a common medium for artists during this period.
See it in person
Portrait of a Young Man hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
