Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Frans Pourbus the Elder in 1575-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Man?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Man are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Frans Pourbus the Elder , 1575

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Frans Pourbus the Elder. It dates from 1575 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a man seated in a chair, accompanied by a book, as established by the visual elements present in the composition.

The work depicts a man seated in a chair, accompanied by a book, as established by the visual elements present in the composition. Created by Frans Pourbus the Elder in 1575, the painting focuses on the male figure as its main subject. While the specific identity of the sitter is not detailed in the provided records, the inclusion of the book alongside the chair suggests a representation of learning or intellectual engagement typical of portraiture from the Netherlands during this period. The composition centers on the individual's presence within these defined objects.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel, a format typical of late‑16th‑century portraiture. The artist employed conventional oil‑paint handling to render fine facial detail and the sitter’s attire, while the compositional balance reflects the formal conventions of the portrait genre. Stylistically, the piece demonstrates the refined realism and careful attention to texture associated with the Northern Renaissance workshop practice.

The painting measures 87 cm in height and 78 cm in width.

History & Provenance

The Portrait of a Man, an oil-on-panel painting by Frans Pourbus the Elder, was created in 1575 in the Netherlands. The work depicts a man seated with a book and a chair. Historical records indicate that the painting was once owned by Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky before entering the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

The painting is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. It was previously owned by Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky before entering the museum's holdings. The work has not been documented in specific exhibitions within the provided sources, though its location remains established at the Hermitage.

Overview

Frans Pourbus the Elder, a Flemish painter of the late sixteenth century, completed the oil work Portrait of a Man in 1575. The canvas, now part of the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings, exemplifies the artist’s focus on individual likenesses within a restrained compositional framework.

Context

Created during the Mannerist phase of the Northern Renaissance, the work reflects the period’s interest in refined surface detail and heightened emotional restraint. Pourbus the Elder, son of cartographer‑painter Pieter Pourbus, was active in a network of Flemish artists who balanced religious commissions with portraiture.

Portrait of a Gentleman, Jacopo Tintoretto

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Artist & collection

Artist

Frans Pourbus the Elder

Frans Pourbus the Elder (Bruges, 1545 – Antwerp, 19 September 1581) was a Flemish Renaissance painter who is known primarily for his portraits and religious compositions, as well as a few genre scenes.