Artwork
Young Man in Oriental Costume
Young Man in Oriental Costume is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Ferdinand Bol. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
History & Provenance
It later entered the collection of Maria Antoinette Hunt Evans before being acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it is currently held.
The painting was created in 1636 by Ferdinand Bol, a pupil of Rembrandt, as indicated by the date inscribed on the work.
By the late 19th century, it was owned by Charles Sedelmeyer, a Paris-based dealer and collector. It later entered the collection of Maria Antoinette Hunt Evans before being acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it is currently held. The work depicts a man in an oriental costume, consistent with the portrait genre and the artist’s documented output.
The painting is held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it is recorded under accession number 1995.153. It was previously in the collection of Charles Sedelmeyer before entering the museum through a gift from Maria Antoinette Hunt Evans.
It was exhibited in 2012 as part of the display "Rembrandt and His Pupils: Masterpieces from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston" at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Overview
Young Man in Oriental Costume is a 1636 oil painting by Ferdinand Bol, a Dutch artist active during the Dutch Golden Age.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a seated man dressed in exotic attire, including a gold-trimmed turban and a robe with deep red and dark blue hues, suggesting an interest in non-European cultures.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, with soft lighting on the subject's face and hands contrasting with a dark background, and gives a three-dimensional appearance to the rich fabrics.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand Bol (24 June 1616 - 24 August 1680) was a Dutch painter, etcher and draftsman.
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