“Portrait of a Boy,” an artwork created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini around the year 1638, is an oil painting on canvas belonging to the Baroque art movement. The piece measures 65.5 by 75 centimeters and is classified as a portrait. Currently, it is housed in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, Italy.
The artwork prominently features the head and upper torso of a young boy, rendered with delicate brushwork and an astute attention to detail. The boy’s expression is contemplative, his gaze directed slightly away from the viewer, which adds an element of introspection to the painting. The soft blending of colors and the subtle play of light and shadow across the boy’s face highlight Bernini’s mastery in capturing human emotion and texture. The background is kept intentionally muted, ensuring that the focus remains on the subject’s expressive face and tenderly depicted features. The painting exemplifies the Baroque era’s emphasis on realism, emotional depth, and the skillful use of chiaroscuro.
