Who painted Portrait of an old man with hourglass?

Portrait of an old man with hourglass was painted by Govert Flinck in 1637.

Where can I see Portrait of an old man with hourglass?

Portrait of an old man with hourglass is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of an old man with hourglass?

Portrait of an old man with hourglass is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of an old man with hourglass

Govert Flinck , 1637

Portrait of an old man with hourglass is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Govert Flinck. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The hourglass he holds is the painting’s central iconographic element, conventionally signifying the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality.

The sitter is an elderly man whose contemplative gaze and aged features dominate the composition. The hourglass he holds is the painting’s central iconographic element, conventionally signifying the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. In Dutch portraiture of the 1630s, such symbols often conveyed moral reflections on life’s brevity and the virtues of temperance and prudence.

By pairing the sitter’s advanced age with the hourglass, the work likely invites viewers to meditate on the transience of human existence and the wisdom accrued with time.

History & Provenance

The painting known as Portrait of an old man with hourglass was created by Govert Flinck in 1637. This work is a portrait depicting a man and is currently held within the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, specifically located at the Alte Pinakothek. The inception of the artwork is dated to January 1, 1637. The piece measures 85.5 cm in height and 70.2 cm in width.

The painting Portrait of an old man with hourglass by Govert Flinck is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections. It is currently located at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The source material does not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the work, nor does it list any exhibition history.

Overview

Govert Flinck’s 1637 oil painting, titled Portrait of an Old Man with Hourglass, presents a solitary figure rendered in monochrome tones. The work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it is displayed among other Dutch Golden Age pieces.

Technique & Style

Flinck employs a stark chiaroscuro scheme, contrasting deep shadows with illuminated highlights to model the figure’s features. The limited palette and careful handling of light create a three‑dimensional effect, emphasizing the texture of the beard, the sheen of the hourglass, and the weight of the robe.