Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The physical dimensions suggest a life-sized or near life-sized representation, typical for individual commissions intended for display.
Executed in 1648, this portrait by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 103.5 cm in height and 79.1 cm in width. As a formal portrait, the composition focuses on a male subject, adhering to the genre conventions of the mid-seventeenth century.
The application of oil paint on a woven canvas support was a standard technique for portraiture of this period, allowing for the detailed rendering of facial features and textures characteristic of Janssens van Ceulen's practice. The physical dimensions suggest a life-sized or near life-sized representation, typical for individual commissions intended for display.
History & Provenance
Created in 1648, the oil-on-canvas portrait titled Portrait of a Man was executed by the artist Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen, also known as Cornelis Jonson van Ceulen the Elder. The work depicts a male subject and measures 103.5 centimeters in height by 79.1 centimeters in width. While the specific details regarding the original commission or the initial patron are not recorded in the available documentation, the painting's creation is firmly dated to the year 1648.
The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum's permanent holdings. No further information regarding the chain of ownership between its creation and its acquisition by the museum is provided in the current records.
Overview
Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen, an Anglo-Dutch painter, completed this oil portrait in 1648. Titled Portrait of a Man, the work exemplifies his characteristic approach to depicting individuals. Born in London to parents who had sought refuge from religious unrest, Janssens van Ceulen established a career primarily in England before moving to Middelburg. This painting is representative of the detailed and expressive style associated with the Flemish Baroque tradition.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork presents a serious-looking man, depicted in a formal portrait format typical of the artist's output. He is dressed in a dark coat, accented by a prominent white collar. His right hand rests upon a piece of paper or fabric, while his left arm remains obscured by shadow. The direct gaze and controlled pose contribute to the subject's dignified and composed presence.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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…
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