The artwork, titled “Portrait of Francesco Sassetti,” was created by Domenico Ghirlandaio in 1483. It is a fresco, a medium common during the Early Renaissance art movement. The genre of the artwork is a portrait.
The artwork depicts a man in a side profile, engaged in a posture of prayer, draped in a voluminous reddish-brown cloak. The figure is positioned against a modestly detailed backdrop, which complements the solemnity of his gesture. The fresco captures the intricacies of the folds in the cloak and the reflective expression on the subject’s face, exemplifying the finesse and meticulous attention to detail characteristic of Ghirlandaio’s work during the Early Renaissance. The overall composition and use of muted colors lend a sense of dignity and piety to Francesco Sassetti’s portrayal.
