Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen in 1636.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Ashmolean Museum.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen , 1636

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen, an Anglo‑Dutch painter active in early‑17th‑century London, completed the oil portrait known as Portrait of a Man in 1636. The work is part of the Ashmolean Museum’s collection and exemplifies the Flemish Baroque style that informed Janssen’s prolific output of signed portraits.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a gentleman with dark, wavy hair and a neatly trimmed mustache, his gaze directed toward the right. He is dressed in a black doublet featuring subtle pinstripes and a high lace collar that extends over his shoulders, indicating a formal, courtly attire typical of the period.

Technique & Style

Janssen employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to give the face a three‑dimensional presence against a uniformly dark background. The precise rendering of fabric and the controlled palette reflect the Baroque emphasis on realism and dramatic effect.

History & Provenance

Born in 1593 to parents who fled Antwerp, Janssen established himself in London by 1618 and became a leading portraitist, producing hundreds of works. Portrait of a Man entered the Ashmolean Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display as a representative example of his London period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen

Cornelis Janssens (born Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen, Dutch:; bapt. 14 October 1593 – bur. 5 August 1661) was an Anglo-Dutch painter of portraits. Born of Dutch or Flemish parents who fled to London from Antwerp to…