For this analysis, we were asked to go to the Cleveland Museum of Art, but due to my location at the time, I was given permission to do my analysis at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY. I spent all day walking around, looking at the art, trying to decide which piece I wanted to do this paper on. Eventually I went to the Second floor and into European Art, Section 608. There, I saw the painting "Portrait of a Young Man," by Bronzino. I was immediately drawn to the painting because even from a distance it looked very detailed and well preserved. .
Little did I know that the following week we were studying this particular painting in class. The portrait is an oil painting on wood in a decretive gold frame. It was mounted on a cream colored wall, which made the gold frame and dark colors pop from the painting. The painting measures 37 5/8 x 29 ½ in. without the frame and was painted sometime in the 1530s. As I walked up to the painting I was expecting to read a description of not only the art but of the man in the portrait. However, it turns out that, we do not know who sat for the portrait. Some say that it was one of the literate people in Bronzino's circle of friends, but even that is not certain. .
Looking at the painting, the first thing that I noticed was the great detail and the composition of the painting. The placement of the lines for the doors gave the room a square feel. I particularly liked how the angle of the table was offset from the walls in the room, however this gave the room a much smaller feel. Bronzino did very well with the detail in this painting. The portrait is of a young man standing between a table and a chair, holding a book. He has on a black doublet with a white shirt underneath. Around his waist he has a vivid blue belt, with gold tassels that match his hat. The table and chair in this painting are both typical for this time period but have very elaborate faces on them.