Artwork
Portret van een man
Portret van een man is a copper painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jean Petitot. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created circa 1650, this circular copper portrait depicts an unidentified gentleman.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is a portrait of a man, identified in the catalogue and on Wikidata as the painting's main subject.
The work is a portrait of a man, identified in the catalogue and on Wikidata as the painting's main subject. As a portrait by Jean Petitot executed on a small copper support, it belongs to a tradition of intimate, miniature-scale likenesses in which the sitter's face and bearing carry the entire expressive weight of the image. The depiction of an unnamed male sitter, rather than a named historical or religious figure, points to the genre function of the piece: a personal commemoration or commemorative likeness intended for private viewing, consistent with Petitot's practice of painting on copper for elite patrons.
No additional iconographic attributes, emblems, or symbolic objects are recorded in the sources, so the meaning of the work resides in the act of portrayal itself rather than in allegorical or narrative content.
Technique & Style
The portrait is executed in casein paint on a copper support, a combination that underpins its refined detail and luminous surface. The tiny dimensions (3.1 × 2.9 cm) and polished metal ground contribute to the work’s sharp focus and subtle modeling of the sitter’s features. Handling reveals delicate brushwork confined to the face and costume, with the surrounding areas left minimally worked, emphasizing the contrast between meticulous rendering and schematic background.
Stylistically, the painting belongs to the Northern European miniature tradition adapted to enamel-like precision, aligning with Petitot’s reputation for miniature portraiture on metal. The restrained palette and emphasis on physiognomic clarity reflect contemporary portrait conventions rather than overt painterly flourish.
History & Provenance
The portrait was created in 1650 by the artist Jean Petitot. Executed on a copper support using casein paint, the work depicts a male subject. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains located.
No further details regarding specific commissions, prior ownership chains, or the circumstances of its creation are provided in the available records.
Overview
Created circa 1650, this circular copper portrait depicts an unidentified gentleman. The figure is dressed in a blue coat with gold ornamentation, a white shirt and a red sash, set against a dark background that heightens the contrast of his attire. The work belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Petitot (July 12, 1607 – April 3, 1691) was an enamel painter from the Republic of Geneva, who spent most of his career working for the courts of France and England.
