Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Jan de Bray in 1662.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by National Galleries Scotland.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Jan de Bray , 1662

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan de Bray. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.

About this work

Overview

Jan de Bray, a Dutch painter active in the mid‑17th century, produced the oil work titled Portrait of a Man in 1662. Executed in the portrait tradition of the Dutch Golden Age, the piece presents a single sitter against a dark backdrop, allowing the subject’s features and attire to dominate the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas depicts a middle‑aged man with light brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard, dressed in a black coat trimmed with white lace. His direct gaze and solemn expression suggest a formal, perhaps civic, representation, typical of the era’s emphasis on individual dignity and status.

Technique & Style

De Bray renders the figure with meticulous attention to surface detail, capturing the subtle folds of the lace‑ed collar and the texture of the hair. A soft, focused light illuminates the face, creating a gentle chiaroscuro that models the features without harsh contrast, a technique reminiscent of his contemporaries Bartholomeus van der Helst and Frans Hals.

History & Provenance

Born around 1627 in Haarlem, Jan de Bray worked primarily in his native city before moving to Amsterdam later in life. Influenced by his father, Salomon de Bray, and by leading portraitists of the period, he often blended portraiture with historical narrative, though this particular work remains a straightforward likeness.

Context

The painting belongs to a period when Dutch portraiture celebrated the rising bourgeois class, emphasizing realistic detail and restrained elegance. De Bray’s approach aligns with the broader cultural shift toward individualized representation, while his use of chiaroscuro reflects the lingering influence of the Baroque.

Portrait of Francois Lotin de Charny, Philippe de Champaigne

Artist & collection

Artist

Jan de Bray

Jan de Bray (c. 1627 – April 4, 1697) was a Dutch Golden Age painter. He lived and worked in Haarlem until the age of 60, when he went bankrupt and moved to Amsterdam. Jan de Bray was influenced by his father Salomon…