Artist and writer Giorgio Vasari once wrote, “Domenico di Tommaso del Ghirlandaio, who can be called one of the principal artists and one of the most excellent masters of his age because of the merits, grandeur, and multitude of his works, was created by nature herself to become a painter” (Wiesner-Hanks 117-120). Vasari’s quotation provides powerful insight into the life of one of the most beloved painters from Florence in the fifteenth century. In Old Man and Young, Domenico Ghirlandaio powerfully depicts the emotional relationship between a young boy and an older gentleman while still maintaining an honest realism. To better understand this painting, one must first gain a basic knowledge about the history of Ghirlandaio. Ghirlandaio
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In 1488, using tempera paint on a wood medium, Ghirlandaio painted “Old Man and Young.” This piece of art measures 62 x 46 cm and is on display in Paris at the Musée de Louvre. This painting makes a powerful statement about the middle class that was often disguised by other painters. Ghirlandaio made the conscious decision to draw the older gentleman as he was, even including the bulbous nose on the old man (“Portrait”). The bulbous nose has been studied for many years, and it is commonly believed to be a sign that the older man had rhinophyma (or acne rosacea). This painting has not only been studied as a work of art, but scientists have examined it …show more content…
Rather than painting a very traditional old man and child, he chose to paint an individual who had flaws and strengths just like the rest of us. He painted a noble man, which is made evident by the nose as well as the wart. The light source allows Ghirlandaio to also color the old man’s hair gray to emphasize his age (Wundram 42-43). Another way in which Ghirlandaio emphasizes the individualism of this painting is through his contrast in color choices. Both the old man and young boy are wearing bright red clothing as well as certain clothing items which show how they are members of the middle-upper class. This strongly contrasts with the dark grey of the walls as well as the slightly darker images through the window to emphasize the tenderness and beauty of the relationship presented
In 1488, using tempera paint on a wood medium, Ghirlandaio painted “Old Man and Young.” This piece of art measures 62 x 46 cm and is on display in Paris at the Musée de Louvre. This painting makes a powerful statement about the middle class that was often disguised by other painters. Ghirlandaio made the conscious decision to draw the older gentleman as he was, even including the bulbous nose on the old man (“Portrait”). The bulbous nose has been studied for many years, and it is commonly believed to be a sign that the older man had rhinophyma (or acne rosacea). This painting has not only been studied as a work of art, but scientists have examined it …show more content…
Rather than painting a very traditional old man and child, he chose to paint an individual who had flaws and strengths just like the rest of us. He painted a noble man, which is made evident by the nose as well as the wart. The light source allows Ghirlandaio to also color the old man’s hair gray to emphasize his age (Wundram 42-43). Another way in which Ghirlandaio emphasizes the individualism of this painting is through his contrast in color choices. Both the old man and young boy are wearing bright red clothing as well as certain clothing items which show how they are members of the middle-upper class. This strongly contrasts with the dark grey of the walls as well as the slightly darker images through the window to emphasize the tenderness and beauty of the relationship presented