Artwork
Portrait of a Bearded Man in Black
Portrait of a Bearded Man in Black is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Corneille de Lyon. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition thus reflects both the artistic conventions of Dutch portraiture and the sitter’s status within his contemporary milieu.
The painting shows a bearded male sitter dressed in black, rendered in oil on panel around the year 1600 by Corneille de Lyon. As a portrait, the work functions to record the subject’s appearance and suggest his social standing, a common purpose of portraiture in the early seventeenth century. The formal attire and the direct gaze typical of the genre convey a sense of dignity and individual identity, while the limited biographical data in the sources leaves the precise symbolism of the black clothing open to interpretation.
The composition thus reflects both the artistic conventions of Dutch portraiture and the sitter’s status within his contemporary milieu.
Technique & Style
The Portrait of a Bearded Man in Black is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support. The work measures 17.1 units in height and 15.9 units in width, reflecting the compact format typical of the genre. Attributed to Corneille de Lyon, with some scholarly association to Hans Holbein the Younger, the painting depicts a man in a formal portrait style.
The medium and support combination suggests a technique consistent with Northern Renaissance portraiture practices of the period. While the specific handling of the brushwork and current physical condition are not detailed in the available records, the classification as a painting confirms its status as an oil-on-panel work created around the year 1600.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Bearded Man in Black is an oil painting on panel attributed to Corneille de Lyon, executed in 1600. The work entered the Hollingworth Magniac Collection and subsequently passed through the ownership of Charles Yerkes, Charles Magniac and Emilie Grigsby before entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its creation is documented as part of Lyon’s portrait oeuvre, with the painting classified as a 17th‑century portrait.
The piece was included in the exhibition "Francis I and the Art of the Netherlands," further confirming its historical trajectory.
The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, having previously been part of the Hollingworth Magniac Collection. Its provenance includes ownership by Charles Magniac, Charles Yerkes, and Emilie Grigsby before entering the museum's holdings. The work was featured in the exhibition titled 'Francis I and the art of the Netherlands.'
While specific inventory or accession numbers are not detailed in the available records, the institution's location and collection history are well-documented through these ownership transfers and public display.
Overview
Corneille de Lyon's Portrait of a Bearded Man in Black, an oil painting from 1600, captures the likeness of an unidentified male sitter. This work exemplifies the artist's approach to portraiture, presenting the subject with a direct gaze and a composed demeanor. The painting is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Corneille de Lyon was a Dutch painter of portraits who was active in Lyon, France, from 1533 until his death. In France and the Netherlands he is also still known as Corneille de La Haye after his birthplace, The Hague.
- Portrait of a Man, identified as Anne de Montmorency (1493 - 1567)
Portrait of a young Man
Rotbärtiger Mann
Portrait of a Young Nobleman
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Gentleman
Portrait of a Man with Gloves
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a man
Portrait of the Dauphin Francis, Son of Francis I
Philip II