Adriaen van Ostade

About this work

This portrait is a mezzotint in red on laid paper, created around 1700. It features a man with shoulder-length curly hair, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a dark jacket over a lace collar. The subject is shown in an oval frame, with text along the edge of the frame. The man's gaze is directed slightly to the right, and his facial expression is neutral. The background of the portrait is a solid color, which helps to focus attention on the subject. The use of red ink gives the portrait a warm, rich tone. The portrait is held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington. If you're interested in learning more about the Baroque movement, which this portrait is a part of, you could explore the works of other artists from this time period.