Youth 1768

Phillip Joseph Tassaert’s 1768 mezzotint print, “Youth,” depicts a young man serenading a woman with a guitar. The print, which is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, captures a romantic scene that is both playful and tender. Tassaert, who was known for his portraiture and genre scenes, perfectly captures the innocent joy of youth in this intimate portrayal. The print’s simple composition, with its emphasis on the figures, contributes to its timeless appeal. The use of light and shadow adds depth to the scene, and the detail in the figures’ clothing and expressions is remarkably lifelike.