The Three Ages of Man (Giorgione)
| The Three Ages of Man | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Giorgione |
| Year | c. 1500-1501 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 62 cm × 77.5 cm (24 in × 30.5 in) |
| Location | Galleria palatina, Florence |
The Three Ages of Man or Reading a Song is a 1500-1501 painting by Giorgione, now displayed at the Galleria Palatina within the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.[1]
History
The opera was first identified in a description by
Description and style
The subject of the painting isn't clear. The title it has today is from the 17th century, but other hypotheses have suggested that the painting depicts a singing lesson or the education of a young Marcus Aurelius. The youth at the right has also sometimes been identified as a portrait of the musician Philippe Verdelot.[2] Presumably, the same man is shown, represented in three moments of his life.[3]
In the scene, there are three people, of different ages, on a dark background. The youth at center reads a folio on which are drawn two rules of a
The dark background contrasts with the incisive chromatic choices applied to the people. Their clothes and features emerge from the background gradually, with the "sfumato" effect typical of Leonardic works. Even the drafting with thin glazes comes from Leonardo da Vinci, with meticulous attention to details like the hair rendered with subtle brushstrokes.[5]
The driving allegory, often present in works of Giorgione, is in this case music, the spiritual expression of man and the harmony of existence.[4]
External links
References
- ISBN 978-1-84484-436-4.
- ISBN 9780918728166.
- ^ Barilli, Renato (2004). Maniera moderna e manierismo. Feltrinelli Editore. p. 227.
- ^ a b Dorfles, Gillo; Buganza, Stefania; Stoppa, Jacopo (2001). Arti visive. Dal Quattrocento all'Impressionismo (in Italian). Atlas. p. 203.
- ISBN 88-8310-184-7.