Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Gerard ter Borch.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

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

Gerard ter Borch

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard ter Borch. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition and attire reflect 17th‑century Dutch portrait conventions, conveying a focus on individual presence without allegorical or emblematic content.

The painting shows a solitary male sitter rendered in oil on canvas, likely intended as a conventional portrait rather than a narrative scene. The sitter's identity is not specified, and no overt symbolic attributes accompany him, suggesting the work emphasizes likeness and status through straightforward representation. The composition and attire reflect 17th‑century Dutch portrait conventions, conveying a focus on individual presence without allegorical or emblematic content.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for 17th-century Dutch portraiture. The painting measures 40.5 cm by 33.2 cm and depicts a man in a manner that emphasizes fine brushwork and a restrained palette, characteristic of Gerard ter Borch's approach to likeness and drapery. Its surface remains well-preserved, showing the subtle modeling of flesh and the careful rendering of fabric that defines the artist's formal style.

History & Provenance

Gerard ter Borch painted Portrait of a Man in 1679. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 40.5 cm by 33.2 cm. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Further details regarding its original commission or prior ownership chain are not established in the available records.

Overview

Created in 1690, this oil painting presents a solitary male figure rendered by Dutch artist Gerard ter Borch. Executed during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the work exemplifies the period’s focus on refined portraiture, capturing the sitter with a restrained yet detailed approach. It now belongs to the collection of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Gerard ter Borch

Gerard ter Borch (Dutch:; December 1617 – 8 December 1681), also known as Gerard Terburg (Dutch: ), was a Dutch Golden Age painter mainly of genre subjects.