Artwork

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion, by German 16th Century, chalk, 1530
Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion, by German 16th Century, chalk, 1530

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist German 16th Century. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:upper left in black chalk: HB (possibly the initials of the sitter); by Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, verso in brown ink: Hans Holbein / gebooren Basel 1520 / gestorven London 1583. / Discepel van zyn / Vader Hans Holbeen (illegible)

About this work

Overview

A portrait drawing rendered in colored chalks on laid paper, depicting a man distinguished by a long face, brown hair, beard, and a prominently adorned hat featuring a medallion.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a man with discerning facial features and attire, conveys an air of sophistication, emphasized by the fancy hat and its eye-catching medallion, though the specific identity or symbolism remains unspecified.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a nuanced palette of browns and grays in colored chalks to achieve depth and texture, characteristic of detailed, expressive portraitures often associated with Renaissance drawing techniques.

Context

While the drawing's style aligns with the expressive and detailed tendencies of the Renaissance, suggesting a 15th to 17th-century origin, specific contextual details (artist, exact date) are not provided.

Legacy

The piece, through its style, invites viewers to explore broader Renaissance artistic movements, though its individual impact or influence within the canon is not detailed here.

Portrait of a Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat
Portrait of a Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat, Swiss 16th Century

Artist & collection

Portrait of German 16th Century

Artist

German 16th Century

A German artist of the late 1500s drew knights clashing in parades and mock battles, filling sheets with detailed ink colored lightly in watercolor: soldiers mid-joust, shields flying, foot soldiers sparring with spears.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion?

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion was painted by German 16th Century in 1530.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion?

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion?

Portrait of a Man Wearing a Hat with a Medallion is associated with Renaissance.