Who painted Portrait of a man in armor (self-portrait)?

Portrait of a man in armor (self-portrait) was painted by Jacob Adriaensz Backer in 1629-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a man in armor (self-portrait)?

Portrait of a man in armor (self-portrait) is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of a man in armor (self-portrait)?

Portrait of a man in armor (self-portrait) is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of a man in armor (self-portrait)

Jacob Adriaensz Backer , 1629

Portrait of a man in armor (self-portrait) is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob Adriaensz Backer. It dates from 1629 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

History & Provenance

Currently, the painting is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, where it is displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

The self-portrait titled Portrait of a man in armor was created by Jacob Adriaensz Backer in 1629. The work depicts the artist himself and is classified as a portrait within the genre of self-portraiture. Currently, the painting is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, where it is displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The inventory records specify its inception date as January 1, 1629.

The Portrait of a Man in Armor (self-portrait) by Jacob Adriaensz Backer, dated 1629, is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Within this institution, the work is located at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The painting measures 60.9 cm in height and 52.1 cm in width.

No specific accession or inventory number is provided in the available sources, nor is there any recorded exhibition history for the work.

Overview

Created in 1629, this oil painting presents the Dutch artist Jacob Adriaensz Backer in a suit of armor. Executed during the early phase of the Dutch Golden Age, the work exemplifies Backer’s skill in portraiture and his willingness to experiment with dramatic lighting. The canvas now belongs to the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is a self‑portrait; Backer portrays himself as a knight, wearing a dark, slightly creased cuirass with a high collar and a chest strap. His curly hair, moustache and solemn expression convey a dignified yet approachable presence, suggesting a personal identification with the virtues of chivalry without overt bravado.

Technique & Style

Backer employs a strong chiaroscuro scheme, allowing a focused beam of light to illuminate the face while the surrounding space recedes into deep shadow. The rendering of the armor’s texture and the fine details of hair and facial hair demonstrate his precise brushwork, while the plain background enhances the three‑dimensional effect of the figure.

James Harrington, Esq., Giuseppi Filippo Liberati Marchi

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacob Adriaensz Backer

Jacob Adriaensz Backer (1608 – 27 August 1651) was a Dutch Golden Age painter. He produced about 140 paintings in twenty years, including portraits, religious subjects, and mythological paintings. In his style, he was…

Museum

Bavarian State Painting Collections

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