With a little bit of humor, today’s selection takes us back to the Renaissance where we meet with the Italian painter Giovanni Francesco Caroto (1480 – 1555).  Mostly overshadowed today by more prominent Renaissance masters, Caroto’s place in history is still celebrated for the richness of his colors and for having been the mentor of artist Paolo Veronese.

Red-headed Youth holding a Drawing (1515) is a joyful painting that shows a boy with long red hair turning to show his work in progress, proud of his effort and eager for approval. The simplicity of the stick man figure doesn’t take away the child’s enjoyment – a scene as contemporaneous as it has been for centuries. The large eyes, the dimples in his cheeks and his big grin add to the amazement and sheer joy of being able to create art, whatever its form, whatever the result.