ticketsMember | Make a donation

Head of a youth

1470s
Not on view
This sculpture does not portray a specific individual but rather is an idealized depiction of a handsome young man. In Renaissance Florence, such youthful male beauty represented an aspirational type of citizenry that was physically vital and psychologically aware. Framed by a colorful garland of the kind actually used in Florentine civic celebrations, the youth gazes outward in thoughtful determination.

Recent conservation treatment has returned the glazed terracotta sculpture to its former luminous brilliance.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head of a youth
  • Artist: Andrea della Robbia (Italian, 1435–1525)
  • Date: 1470s
  • Culture: Italian, Florence
  • Medium: Glazed terracotta
  • Dimensions: confirmed, irregular diameter, at exterior glazed edge: 22 7/16 in. (57 cm)
    confirmed, Irregular dia. of recessed inner edge of blue ground: 14 1/16 in. (35.7 cm)
    Diameter (confirmed, irregular diameter of back): 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1903
  • Object Number: 03.22
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Nativity, Andrea della Robbia Italian, Glazed terracotta, Italian, Florence
Nativity
Andrea della Robbia
late 15th–early 16th century
The Assumption of the Virgin, Andrea della Robbia Italian, Glazed terracotta, Italian, Florence
The Assumption of the Virgin
Andrea della Robbia
late 15th–early 16th century
Virgin Adoring the Christ Child, Andrea della Robbia Italian, Glazed terracotta, Italian, Florence
Virgin Adoring the Christ Child
Andrea della Robbia
after 1479
Madonna and Child, Andrea della Robbia Italian, Relief: glazed terracotta; frame: wood, polychromed and gilt, Italian, Florence
Madonna and Child
Andrea della Robbia
ca. 1480–90
Virgin Adoring the Christ Child, Andrea della Robbia Italian, Relief: glazed terracotta; frame: gilt wood (not original), Italian, Florence
Virgin Adoring the Christ Child
Andrea della Robbia
after 1479

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.