Artwork
Portrait of a Young Man
Portrait of a Young Man is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Christian Friedrich Zincke. It dates from 1735 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
No earlier owners or sales are documented, indicating that the museum is the current owner and the work has been continuously exhibited under its stewardship.
The work titled Portrait of a Young Man was painted by Christian Friedrich Zincke in 1735, as recorded in the artist’s catalogue entry. Its creation is further dated to 1 January 1735 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s records. The painting, measuring 45 × 36 cm, entered the museum’s collection and has remained in its custody since acquisition, forming the core of its provenance.
No earlier owners or sales are documented, indicating that the museum is the current owner and the work has been continuously exhibited under its stewardship.
The painting Portrait of a Young Man, created by Christian Friedrich Zincke in 1735, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is located at this institution in New York. While the provided records confirm its presence within the museum's holdings and specify its physical dimensions as 45 by 36 units, they do not list a specific inventory or accession number.
Furthermore, the available documentation does not contain details regarding any past or current exhibitions in which the portrait has been displayed.
Overview
Christian Friedrich Zincke, an accomplished German miniature painter working in 18th-century England, completed Portrait of a Young Man in 1735. This small, oval painting exemplifies his refined approach to portraiture during the Rococo period. It captures a young man with light hair and a serious demeanor, presented within a meticulously crafted composition.
The work is now part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, showcasing Zincke's characteristic attention to detail.
Technique & Style
Zincke specialized in finely detailed portrait miniatures, a skill evident in this work's polished surface and precise execution. The smooth brushstrokes defining the sitter's face contrast with the crisp details of his attire. The blue coat, accented with gold trim, stands out against a plain, dark background, a common technique to emphasize the subject.
The painting's small scale and oval format are typical of the intimate and decorative aesthetic prevalent in Rococo art.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a young man with a composed, serious expression and light-colored hair. He is depicted wearing a blue coat adorned with gold trim over a white shirt, reflecting contemporary fashion. This attire, combined with the subject's direct gaze, conveys a sense of quiet dignity.
The intimate scale of the miniature format suggests it was likely intended for personal admiration, offering a close and detailed likeness of the sitter.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Christian Friedrich Zincke (c.1683–5 – 24 March 1767) was a German miniature painter active in England in the 18th century.
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