Portrait of the Artist's Son, Antonio Carracci 1592 - 1595

Agostino Carracci rendered this sanguine drawing, Portrait of the Artist's Son, Antonio Carracci, during the late 16th century, a time when artistic families often saw the practice passed through generations. The portrait captures Antonio with a soft, almost melancholic gaze. The ruffled collar hints at a certain social standing, yet the youthfulness of his face evokes a sense of vulnerability. During the Renaissance, portraiture served not only as a record of appearance but also as a declaration of identity and status. This tender portrayal departs from the more formal conventions of the time, highlighting the intimate bond between father and son. Carracci, deeply rooted in the artistic traditions of Bologna, aimed to reform Italian art by instilling it with a renewed sense of naturalism and emotional depth. The choice to depict his son may be seen as an effort to ground the grand narratives of Renaissance art in the personal and the familial. The artwork becomes a poignant reflection on legacy.