Artwork
Portrait of a Bearded Man in White
Portrait of a Bearded Man in White 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
History & Provenance
The work's creation history is documented only through its attribution to the French school artist and the technical description of oil paint on panel.
The painting titled Portrait of a Bearded Man in White is an oil on panel portrait attributed to Corneille de Lyon, dated to the year 1600. It is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection and was included in the museum's Loan Exhibition of French Primitives and Objects of Art. The work's creation history is documented only through its attribution to the French school artist and the technical description of oil paint on panel. No earlier ownership records or commissioning details are provided in the available sources.
Context
Portrait of a Bearded Man in White, attributed to Corneille de Lyon around 1600, reflects the French School's portrait tradition. Executed in oil on panel, the work depicts a bearded sitter in a plain white dress, reflecting the modest elegance characteristic of the portraiture of its period. Its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection and its participation in the Loan Exhibition of French Primitives and Objects of Art underscore its recognized standing within the corpus of French primitives.
Overview
Corneille de Lyon's Portrait of a Bearded Man in White, an oil painting from 1600, captures an individual's likeness. This work is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It exemplifies the artist's approach to portraiture during the early 17th century, focusing on the sitter's presence rather than an elaborate setting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on the bust of an unidentified man, whose gaze engages the viewer. He is presented with a carefully groomed beard and wears a simple white shirt, which contrasts with the darker tones surrounding him. The artist emphasizes the sitter's facial features, suggesting an interest in individual character rather than elaborate narrative or setting.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the portrait demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail, rendering the man's features with a high degree of realism. The artist employed a dark, unadorned background, which serves to bring the subject forward and intensify the focus on his face. This approach allowed for the subtle depiction of expression, characteristic of the period's refined portraiture.
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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.
