Artwork
Portrait of a man
Portrait of a man is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Jan Mostaert. It dates from 1535 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is portrayed as a learned individual through the inclusion of emblematic objects.
The sitter is portrayed as a learned individual through the inclusion of emblematic objects. A quill, inkwell, and open book on the desk signal scholarly or administrative activity, while a knife placed nearby may refer to practical literacy tools of the time. These attributes combine to convey the subject's identity as a man of letters or office, aligning with Northern Renaissance portrait conventions that equate literacy with status and virtue.
The inclusion of these items suggests the portrait's purpose as a marker of personal and professional accomplishment rather than a devotional or allegorical image.
Technique & Style
Jan Mostaert's Portrait of a Man, dated 1535, is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support. The work measures 77.5 cm in height and 53.1 cm in width. Stylistically, the painting depicts a male subject seated at a desk, surrounded by specific attributes including a quill, book, inkwell, and knife.
These elements are rendered with the precision characteristic of the artist's portraiture from this period. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
History & Provenance
Jan Mostaert created the oil-on-panel painting Portrait of a Man in 1535. The work depicts a man seated at a desk with a quill, book, inkwell, and knife, and measures 77.5 cm in height by 53.1 cm in width. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, classified as an oil painting on panel.
The specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not detailed in the available sources, and no specific accession number or prior exhibition history is recorded beyond its inclusion in the museum's catalogue.
Overview
This oil painting, Portrait of a man, was completed in 1535 by the Dutch Renaissance artist Jan Mostaert. The work exemplifies the Mannerist style prevalent in the early 16th century and depicts a male figure engaged in writing. It is a significant example of Mostaert's portraiture, a genre for which he was well-regarded alongside his religious compositions. The painting is currently housed in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Context
Jan Mostaert was a Dutch Renaissance painter active during the first half of the 16th century, primarily recognized for his religious scenes and portrait commissions. Despite his artistic output, verifiable details about his personal life remain scarce, with much of what is known derived from later historical accounts, such as those compiled by Karel van Mander. This portrait contributes to the understanding of Mostaert's skill in capturing individual likenesses within the artistic trends of his era.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Mostaert (c. 1475 – 1552/1553) was a Dutch Renaissance painter who is known mainly for his religious subjects and portraits. One of his most famous creations was the Landscape with an Episode from the Conquest of…
Christ Shown to the People
Landscape with a Scene of the Conquest of America
The Adoration of the Magi
Portrait of the knight Abel van Coulster (1477-1548), representative to the Hof van Holland in 1512
Portrait of an African Man (Christophle le More?)
Triptych with the Lamentation (centre panel), the donor with St Peter (inner left wing), the donor’s wife with St Paul (inner right wing) and the donors’ coats of arms (outer wings)
A Woman
