Portrait of a Young Man Holding a Book
The reciprocated stare of the sitter in this portrait, in addition to his confident stance with his hand resting on his hip, positions him as a self-assured individual. He is situated indoors, and uses the table, decorated with grotesque carvings, to hold an upright book casually between his fingers. It has been suggested the carved faces represent the vices that the youth overcomes through his virtue and intellectual pursuits. His status and masculinity are demonstrated through his clothing: a slashed black jacket with puffed sleeves, hat with gold inserts, and padded codpiece.
Below [1]: See the portrait of Ugolino Martelli for another instance of a man in interior architectural spaces with books, in a black jacket and hat ensemble.
Below [2]: See the portrait of Francesco Guardi, painted by Bronzino's master Pontormo, for pre-existing composition for the stance seen in the above portrait.