Artwork

Portrait of a man

Portrait of a man, by Unknown, unspecified, 1635
Portrait of a man, by Unknown, unspecified, 1635

Portrait of a man is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. A portrait of a bearded man on parchment, characterized by a somber background and a crisp white collar.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and was created in Holland in 1635, reflecting the period’s interest in intimate, privately displayed likenesses.

The painting portrays an unidentified male sitter rendered in a small‑scale format on parchment, typical of Dutch portrait miniatures of the mid‑17th century. Its iconography is limited to conventional features of status and presence, without overt symbolic attributes, suggesting a focus on realistic representation rather than allegorical narrative. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and was created in Holland in 1635, reflecting the period’s interest in intimate, privately displayed likenesses.

Technique & Style

Portrait of a man is executed as a miniature painting on parchment, a support consistent with the small-scale format of the work. The composition measures 3.7 cm in height by 3.1 cm in width, placing it firmly within the tradition of portable, finely detailed likenesses produced in Holland in 1635. The use of parchment rather than canvas or panel allows for the delicate handling characteristic of miniature portraiture, where precise brushwork is needed to render features at such a reduced scale.

The work is classified as a painting and belongs to the portrait genre, with its miniature format and parchment support reflecting the technical conventions of seventeenth-century Dutch miniature practice.

History & Provenance

Created in 1635, this miniature portrait on parchment was produced in Holland. The work is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the identity of the sitter remain unrecorded in the available data, the piece is classified as an anonymous painting. The physical object measures 3.7 cm in height and 3.1 cm in width.

Overview

A portrait of a bearded man on parchment, characterized by a somber background and a crisp white collar.

Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man, Monogrammist IS

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

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.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man was painted by Unknown in 1635.

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 Flemish Baroque painting.