Artwork
Portrait of a young man
Portrait of a young man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Franz Kessler. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
While the specific identity of the sitter remains unnamed in the available records, the subject is characterized by a direct gaze directed toward the viewer.
The work depicts a young man rendered as a portrait miniature by Franz Kessler. While the specific identity of the sitter remains unnamed in the available records, the subject is characterized by a direct gaze directed toward the viewer. This engagement creates an immediate connection between the figure and the observer, a common convention in 17th-century portraiture intended to convey presence and personality.
Executed on copper, the piece functions as a personal likeness rather than a narrative scene, focusing entirely on the individual's appearance and the intensity of their look.
Technique & Style
Created in 1650 by Franz Kessler, this portrait is executed as a miniature painting on a copper support using oil paint. The work measures 11.8 cm in height and 9.1 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece is characterized by the sitter's direct gaze towards the viewer, a formal quality typical of the genre. The combination of oil paint on copper suggests a refined technique intended for a small-scale, detailed presentation.
History & Provenance
The work titled Portrait of a young man was created in 1650 by Franz Kessler on copper, measuring 11.8 cm by 9.1 cm, and belongs to the portrait genre within the miniature painting tradition. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it has been housed since its acquisition, reflecting a continuous ownership chain under institutional stewardship. The painting depicts a figure with a direct gaze toward the viewer, a compositional detail noted in its descriptive record.
Its creation history is anchored to the year 1650, consistent with the artist's documented activity during that period.
The Portrait of a young man is held in the Rijksmuseum collection and is catalogued under the accession number SK-A-1865. It was created in 1650 on copper and falls within the portrait genre. The work has been displayed at the Rijksmuseum and has also featured in exhibitions focusing on Dutch portraiture from the 17th century.
Overview
Created circa 1650 by the multifaceted Franz Kessler, this oval portrait on copper presents a young man whose direct gaze engages the viewer. The work belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s holdings and exemplifies the refined portraiture typical of the Dutch Golden Age, combining scholarly precision with an inventive approach to material.
Context
The piece reflects the broader Dutch Golden Age fascination with individualized portraiture, where artists employed fine materials such as copper to achieve precise detail. Kessler’s background as a scholar and alchemist informs the meticulous rendering, aligning the portrait with contemporary interests in both scientific observation and artistic innovation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Franz Kessler (c. 1580–1650) was a portrait painter, scholar, inventor and alchemist living in the Holy Roman Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries.
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