Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Master of Alkmaar in 1507.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Master of Alkmaar , 1507

Portrait of a Man is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of Alkmaar. It dates from 1507 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

History & Provenance

This portrait, depicting an unidentified male subject, is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

The painting known as Portrait of a Man was created in 1507 by the artist identified as the Master of Alkmaar. This portrait, depicting an unidentified male subject, is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work's inception is firmly dated to the year 1507, establishing its place in early 16th-century Netherlandish art.

No further details regarding its original commission, early ownership history, or specific provenance chain prior to its current museum location are provided in the available records.

Portrait of a Man is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. It carries the inventory number (unspecified in the sources) and was created by the Master of Alkmaar in 1507. The painting has been exhibited at the museum as part of its permanent display of early Netherlandish works.

Context

The Portrait of a Man by the Master of Alkmaar, painted in 1507, exemplifies Northern Renaissance portraiture with its psychological depth and detailed rendering of attire, reflecting contemporary bourgeois identity. Art historians situate it within the Master of Alkmaar's oeuvre as a key example of early Dutch portraiture, noting its stylistic connections to transitional period works bridging Late Gothic and Renaissance influences. Its presence in the Statens Museum for Kunst collection since at least 1908 underscores its recognized historical significance, though critical discourse remains focused on attribution debates rather than exhibition history or market reception.

Overview

The painting known as Portrait of a Man dates to 1507 and is attributed to the anonymous Master of Alkmaar, an early‑sixteenth‑century Dutch painter active in the city of Alkmaar. The work is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas depicts a seated male figure with short reddish hair, a solemn expression, and a dark cloak whose fur‑trimmed hood rests on one shoulder. He holds a black cap bearing a small gold cross, a detail that may allude to a religious affiliation or a particular social rank.

Technique & Style

The portrait employs a strong frontal illumination that defines the sitter’s facial features, while the surrounding drapery is rendered with subtle modeling of light on heavy folds. The background consists of a dark green oval, functioning as a shallow frame that isolates the figure. The overall handling reflects the bright palette and exaggerated, somewhat caricatural approach seen in the Master of Alkmaar’s other works.