Who painted Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man was painted by Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck in 1646-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

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.

Artwork

Portrait of a man

Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck , 1646

Portrait of a man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck. It dates from 1646 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The sitter’s direct gaze and modest attire suggest a contemporary, possibly bourgeois, portrait rather than a symbolic or mythological figure.

The painting depicts a solitary male sitter rendered in a restrained, naturalistic manner that emphasizes his individual identity rather than allegorical virtues. The sitter’s direct gaze and modest attire suggest a contemporary, possibly bourgeois, portrait rather than a symbolic or mythological figure. No overt iconographic symbols accompany the figure, indicating that the work’s meaning rests on the realistic representation of the man himself as a private subject in 17th‑century Dutch society.

The absence of emblematic attributes points to a focus on personal presence, reflecting the growing interest in portraiture that celebrated the sitter’s status and character. This interpretation aligns with the genre conventions of Dutch portraiture, where the sitter’s likeness served both as a record of appearance and an expression of social identity.

The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, accessioned under SK‑A‑3352, and remains on display in the museum’s Dutch Golden Age galleries, underscoring its significance within the museum’s narrative of 17th‑century portraiture.

The painting measures 86 cm × 65.5 cm, rendered in oil on canvas, and was created in 1646 by Johannes Cornelis Verspronck.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1646, this portrait by Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 86 cm in height and 65.5 cm in width. As a formal portrait, the composition focuses exclusively on a male subject, adhering to the conventions of seventeenth-century Dutch portraiture through its realistic depiction and medium.

History & Provenance

The work titled Portrait of a man was created in 1646 by Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck as an oil painting on canvas. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display in the museum's portrait gallery. The painting has been part of the museum's holdings since its acquisition, reflecting a continuous ownership chain from its creation to the present.

Its dimensions measure 86 cm in height and 65.5 cm in width, consistent with the specifications recorded at inception.

Overview

Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck, a Haarlem‑based painter active during the Dutch Golden Age, executed this oil portrait in 1646. The canvas presents a single figure against a uniform brown backdrop, emphasizing the sitter’s presence. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s permanent collection, where it exemplifies the period’s focus on realistic, individualized portraiture.