Young man (The impassioned singer) 1510

Curator: Gazing at Giorgione’s “Young man (The impassioned singer)” from around 1510, housed in the Borghese Gallery, the first thing that strikes me is how soft yet intent the figure looks. Like he's caught mid-aria. Editor: I’m immediately drawn to the fabrics. Look at the draping and folds on the scarlet felt of the hat. The rough-spun texture of his white shirt in juxtaposition to the sumptuous color. I bet the acquisition of dyes to produce that hat were incredibly controlled. Curator: Controlled, yes, but consider also that tilt of the head, the barely parted lips, he’s just lost in song, you can almost hear it. It makes me wonder what he is singing. Editor: I keep coming back to that hat; its color denotes not just access but also perhaps guild membership and more than likely imported dyes or locally produced dyes controlled and manufactured by the Venetian elites. Consider also the context. Were those who crafted his shirt and hat able to listen to or perform such songs themselves? Curator: Perhaps not literally. But his hand, raised almost in oath or declaration, is interesting too. Is it an operatic gesture or does it represent a personal creed? A way of conveying, not just class affiliation but emotional depth? Editor: I agree there is so much visual tension. While you may experience the painting as romantic and deeply emotive I am still struck by the labour that produces such powerful beauty. Even this is portrait work; look closely and notice he seems a little uncertain of himself. Curator: I'm struck again by this work's quiet power. Something about how contained all this emotion is really gets me. I feel like the music doesn't need to burst from him to still hold immense passion. Editor: Yes! Maybe his uncertainty comes not from any lack of emotion or song, but instead from how and who that passion is performed. Regardless it offers much insight on class, labor, materiality and display for a modern viewer.