Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Follower of Jean Siméon Chardin in 18th century.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Follower of Jean Siméon Chardin , 1750

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Follower of Jean Siméon Chardin. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This oil on canvas depicts a man's face, rendered with a serious and contemplative expression.

Inscription: Inscribed:Falsely upper right: Chardin

About this work

History & Provenance

It subsequently passed to Josef Stransky (1885–1936), possibly in conjunction with Wildenstein & Co.

Portrait of a Man is dated to 1750 and executed in oil on canvas. The earliest documented owner in the provenance is Alphonse Kann (1870–1948) of Paris; the work appeared in his sale at Galerie Georges Petit in Paris on 6–8 December 1920, listed as lot 10. It subsequently passed to Josef Stransky (1885–1936), possibly in conjunction with Wildenstein & Co. in New York, and in 1929 was sold to the collector Chester Dale (1883–1962) of New York.

Dale gave the painting in 1943 to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it remains in the collection. The records do not list specific public exhibition histories for the piece.

Overview

This oil on canvas depicts a man's face, rendered with a serious and contemplative expression. He is shown in attire characteristic of an earlier period. The artist employed a restrained palette, contributing to the work's overall sense of tranquility.

The subtle nuances of the subject's gaze invite close observation, making the painting a quiet study of human presence.

Technique & Style

The artist utilized a limited range of colors, which helps to establish the painting's serene atmosphere. The subject's expression is rendered with a quiet subtlety, avoiding overt emotion and instead conveying introspection. While specific details about the creator are scarce, the work demonstrates an approach to light and shadow that aligns with techniques such as chiaroscuro, emphasizing form through strong contrasts.

Context

Despite the limited available information regarding its creator, this "Portrait of a Man" offers valuable insight into an individual artistic sensibility. The painting serves as a testament to the enduring practice of portraiture, even when the artist's identity remains largely unrecorded. It stands as a singular example, allowing viewers to appreciate the aesthetic choices of an otherwise unknown practitioner.