Man with a Ruff
1649
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1649
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
This portrait features a man with a ruff, depicted in oil paint. The subject is shown from the chest up, wearing a dark jacket and a large, white ruff around his neck. The background is a solid, dark color. The man's facial expression is serious, and his eyes seem to be looking off into the distance. His hair is dark and styled in a way that was common during the 17th century. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, drawing the viewer's eye to the subject's face. If you're interested in learning more about this technique, you might want to look up chiaroscuro.
