Why it matters
An old man in a red robe embraces a young child who looks up at him, his weathered face contrasting with the boy's delicate profile. One of Ghirlandaio's best-known works, its realism has been described as unique among the portraits of the Quattrocento.
Did you know?
- It dates from around 1490.
- The identities of the sitters are unknown.
- A window shows a landscape with winding roads typical of Ghirlandaio.
Based on the Wikipedia article An Old Man and his Grandson (CC BY-SA 4.0).
