Description of the painting by Domenico Ghirlandaio “Portrait of an old man with a grandson”

Description of the painting by Domenico Ghirlandaio Portrait of an old man with a grandson

Ghirlandaio creates an incredibly realistic look. Whom he portrayed, this fact remained a mystery. The artist was able to create an incredibly touching image of a boy. Golden curls are knocked out from under the red caps. He clung to his grandfather. It seems that the child is seeking protection or wants to ask him something.

The painter depicts an old man, without embellishing him. Grandfather looks at his grandson very gently, with love. At the same time in the look felt admiration and barely perceptible bitterness. The whole face of the hero is spiritual.

The artist focuses on the disfigured nose of the hero. Our view involuntarily attracts this impressive object. But around a huge number of shades of emotions. Yes, the old man is ugly. But he loves the child, and our attitude to the hero is completely changed.

The window is open. In it you can see the perfect landscape in all respects. That is how nature was portrayed

during the Renaissance. We see hills and rocks in the distance. A river flows through a picturesque valley. This is a real paradise.

The painter draws a clear parallel between nature and the relationship of his grandfather and grandson. They are really harmonious and beautiful.

The portrait is attractive with its similarity and huge difference between a child and an old man.

Impressive skill Ghirlandaio. On the rubbish red and brown colors prevail. On the old man red clothes, and on the boy of the same shade a cap. The artist lovingly prescribes all the features of his characters. For this, he selects the appropriate shades. The viewer feels that the old man and the boy are alive. It seems that the portrait is voluminous.

The background is deliberately dark. We see only what is happening outside the window. For a painter, only the landscape matters. It allows you to draw parallels with the characters. The rest of the room is absolutely irrelevant.

The artist managed to create an incredibly expressive portrait, striking the naturalness of his feelings.


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Description of the painting by Domenico Ghirlandaio “Portrait of an old man with a grandson”