Man with a White BeardJacopo Robusti · 1578

  • Creation date1578
  • Dimensions595.0 x 924.0 cm
  • MuseumKunsthistorisches Museum

Jacopo Robusti (1518 – 1594)

Explore the bold brushwork & dramatic scenes of Jacopo Robusti (Tintoretto), a Venetian master known for his innovative compositions & influential legacy.

Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna, Austria)

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The unknown subject looks directly at the viewer. Dressed in a coat that almost entirely disappears into the darkness of the background, he holds the fur trimming with his left hand to keep the coat closed. Tintoretto uses this trick to distance the subject from the viewer despite the direct eye contact. He gives the man’s skin a tone that corresponds with his dark-red shirt and emphasises the varied structure and quality of his hair and beard. With simple compositional means and striking illumination, Tintoretto gives his aged subject a strong presence, individuality and “spiritual beauty”, a quality that is increasingly found in Tintoretto’s late portraits. Contrary to long-held assumptions, the painting is now ascribed to Tintoretto himself and no longer to his son Domenico. It owes its popularity in Austria not least to the role it played as a persistently recurring motif in Thomas Bernhard’s comedy

About this artwork

  • Title: Man with a White Beard
  • Artist: Jacopo Robusti
  • Year: 1578
  • Original dimensions: 595.0 x 924.0 cm
  • Format: Portrait
  • Copyright status: Public domain
  • Where to see it: Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • Inventory number: GG_25
  • Color intensity: Monochromatic
  • Perceived brightness: deep_shadow

Questions & Answers

Is "Man with a White Beard" by Jacopo Robusti in the public domain?

Regarding copyright, "Man with a White Beard" is in the public domain - its copyright has expired.

What level of contrast does "Man with a White Beard" by Jacopo Robusti show?

The light-dark contrast of "Man with a White Beard" is recorded as serene. Contrast describes how strongly light and dark areas differ.

What is the dominant color of "Man with a White Beard" by Jacopo Robusti?

The dominant color of "Man with a White Beard" by Jacopo Robusti is black (#121104).

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