Artwork

Portrait of a man

Portrait of a man, by Pieter Gerritsz., oil
Portrait of a man, by Pieter Gerritsz., oil

Portrait of a man is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Pieter Gerritsz.. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed in oil paint on panel around 1550, the painting focuses entirely on the male figure without additional narrative context or allegorical elements.

The work depicts a man, serving as the primary subject of this mid-16th-century portrait created by Pieter Gerritsz. Executed in oil paint on panel around 1550, the painting focuses entirely on the male figure without additional narrative context or allegorical elements. As a straightforward portrait genre piece, it represents the individual rather than a specific mythological, religious, or symbolic archetype.

The composition emphasizes the sitter's likeness, consistent with the conventions of portraiture from the Northern Low Countries during this period.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on a wooden panel, measuring 27.5 cm in height and 22.5 cm in width. It portrays a man in a conventional portrait format, reflecting the stylistic conventions of 16th-century Northern Low Countries art. The surface handling and condition are not detailed in the source material, and no specific stylistic analysis beyond the medium and genre classification is provided.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam as SK-A-2107. It was created around 1550 in the Northern Low Countries by the artist Pieter Gerritsz. The work is documented as an anonymous portrait of a man, with dimensions of 27.5 cm in height and 22.5 cm in width, executed in oil on panel.

Portrait of a man is an oil painting created in 1550 in the Northern Low Countries by Pieter Gerritsz., depicting a man. It measures 27.5 cm in height and 22.5 cm in width. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is cataloged under inventory number SK-A-2107. It has been exhibited at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.

The painting entered the Rijksmuseum's holdings and remains on display there, forming part of the museum's portrait genre presentation.

Exhibition history includes its presentation within the Rijksmuseum's ongoing portrait exhibitions, maintaining its status as a notable example of 16th-century Dutch portraiture.

Overview

Created around 1550, this oil painting presents a half‑length portrait of a man, rendered in a realistic manner typical of mid‑sixteenth‑century Dutch art. The figure is shown from the shoulders up, directly engaging the viewer with a composed expression.

Portrait of a man
Portrait of a man, Jan Mostaert

Artist & collection

Artist

Pieter Gerritsz.

This Dutch painter worked in the mid-1500s, leaving behind a single surviving portrait of a bearded man in a dark cap and fur collar.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man was painted by Pieter Gerritsz. in 1550-01-01.

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 Mannerism.

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.