Artwork
Portrait of a Young Man
Portrait of a Young Man is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerbrand Ban. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work depicts a half-length portrait of a seated young man, rendered against a dark interior.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts a half-length portrait of a seated young man, rendered against a dark interior. He is shown in a simple pose, with his hands placed on a table, his face illuminated by a subtle light that highlights his features while the surrounding space remains in shadow.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter’s identity and the artist’s name remain unknown, inviting speculation about the portrait’s purpose. The focused illumination on the face suggests an intention to emphasize inner character or emotional presence rather than merely recording physical likeness.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a stark contrast between light and darkness, a hallmark of chiaroscuro, to model the figure’s form. The soft glow on the face and collar against the deep black of the coat and background creates a three‑dimensional effect and draws the viewer’s attention directly to the sitter.
History & Provenance
No documented attribution or provenance accompanies the piece, and neither the painter nor the young man portrayed have been identified in historical records. The lack of archival information leaves the work’s origins and ownership history largely speculative.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a young man
Portrait of Pieter de Graeff (1638-1707), lord of Zuid-Polsbroek, Purmerland, and Ilpendam. Alderman of Amsterdam
Portrait of a man
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of Pieter de Graeff (1638-1707), lord of Zuid-Polsbroek, Purmerland, and Ilpendam. Alderman of Amsterdam
Portrait of a Painter
Portrait of a Painter
Portrait of a Young Gentleman
Portrait of a Gentleman (hand on hip)
Self-portrait
Portrait of Count Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve
Untitled