Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Portrait of a Man, by Jan Gossaert, oil, 1520
Portrait of a Man, by Jan Gossaert, oil, 1520

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Jan Gossaert. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

9 cm and is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, having been part of the Jacques Goudstikker collection and later owned by Michael Friedsam.

The work is a portrait that depicts a single male sitter, identified as the main subject of the composition.

Executed in oil paint on panel in 1520, it measures 47 cm by 34.9 cm and is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, having been part of the Jacques Goudstikker collection and later owned by Michael Friedsam.

As a portrait, it functions to record the appearance of the sitter, reflecting the conventions of early sixteenth‑century portraiture that emphasized the documentation of identity.

Technique & Style

The painting employs oil on oak panel, with dimensions of 47 cm in height and 34.9 cm in width. It is characterized by a refined, closely observed realism typical of Northern Renaissance portraiture, with meticulous attention to facial detail and textures such as hair and fabric. The handling reflects Gossaert’s layered approach, using fine glazes to build luminous transitions in the sitter’s complexion and subtle modeling of form.

The composition emphasizes the subject’s direct gaze and restrained demeanor, framed against a dark, unobtrusive background that isolates the figure and enhances three-dimensional presence.

The panel support is prepared with a traditional ground, consistent with early sixteenth-century Netherlandish practice, allowing for the luminous, jewel-like quality observed in the paint surface.

History & Provenance

The Portrait of a Man was created by Jan Gossaert in 1520. Executed in oil paint on panel, the work measures 47 cm in height and 34.9 cm in width. The painting originally entered the collection of Jacques Goudstikker before passing to Michael Friedsam. It is currently held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Portrait of a Man by Jan Gossaert is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work was previously part of the Jacques Goudstikker collection before entering the museum's holdings. It is currently associated with the Michael Friedsam bequest, which forms part of the institution's permanent collection. The painting measures 47 cm in height and 34.9 cm in width.

No specific exhibition history is detailed in the provided sources, though the work remains a key part of the museum's inventory of early Netherlandish portraiture.

Overview

Jan Gossaert, also known as Jan Mabuse, completed Portrait of a Man in 1520 using oil paint. This work exemplifies the Northern Renaissance style, reflecting the artist's origins in the Low Countries. It is currently housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant piece from Gossaert's mature period.

The painting captures a solitary male figure, rendered with a distinctive blend of regional tradition and classical influences.

Context

Hailing from the Low Countries, Jan Gossaert was a prominent figure of the Northern Renaissance. His artistic development was significantly shaped by a journey to Rome in 1508–09, where he encountered classical antiquity and contemporary Italian art. This experience led him to integrate Romanist elements into his painting, blending the meticulous detail characteristic of Northern European art with the monumental forms and perspectives he observed in Italy.

Portrait of a Haarlem Citizen
Portrait of a Haarlem Citizen, Jan van Scorel

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jan Gossaert

Artist

Jan Gossaert

Jan Gossaert (c. 1478 – 1 October 1532) was a French-speaking painter from the Low Countries also known as Jan Mabuse (the name he adopted from his birthplace, Maubeuge) or Jennyn van Hennegouwe (Hainaut), as he called…

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Jan Gossaert in 1520-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Man?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Man are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.