Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an oil painting. It dates from 1592 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The Metropolitan Museum of Art classifies the piece as a portrait, emphasizing the representation of the individual rather than allegorical or symbolic content.
The work depicts a single male figure, identified simply as a man within the context of the portrait genre. Created in 1592, the painting presents the subject as the primary focus without additional narrative elements or specific iconographic attributes mentioned in the available records. The Metropolitan Museum of Art classifies the piece as a portrait, emphasizing the representation of the individual rather than allegorical or symbolic content.
As a North Italian painting executed in oil on copper, the piece serves as a straightforward depiction of a man from the late sixteenth century. No specific symbolism or personal attributes beyond the identification of the sitter as a man are documented in the provided sources.
Technique & Style
The Portrait of a Man (1592) is executed in oil paint on a copper support, a choice that enhances luminosity and fine detail retention. The medium's smooth, non-absorbent surface allowed the artist to build up thin, translucent glazes, contributing to the painting's refined modeling and subtle tonal transitions. Stylistically, the work aligns with North Italian portraiture of the late 16th century, characterized by precise linear definition, restrained naturalism, and a muted palette emphasizing earth tones. The handling is meticulous, with delicate brushwork visible in the rendering of textiles and facial features.
History & Provenance
The copper support and North Italian origin suggest a portable format suited to private devotion or display. The work is dated to 1592, aligning with late Mannerist portraiture conventions in Lombardy and the Veneto. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of the Michael Friedsam Collection, bequeathed in 1931, indicating prior private ownership in the early twentieth century before its institutional acquisition.
The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 32.100.101. Originally owned by Michael Friedsam, the work entered the museum's holdings as part of his bequest. The piece, dated to 1592, is executed in oil paint on a copper support.
While the sources confirm its current location and accession details, no specific records of past exhibitions are provided in the available documentation.
Overview
This painting, titled Portrait of a Man, presents a realistic depiction of an unidentified male subject. Executed on a copper support, the work captures the sitter from the chest up. His dark attire is subtly contrasted by a muted green background, emphasizing his presence. The artist employed a meticulous approach, rendering the figure with notable detail and a sense of three-dimensionality.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a gentleman
Portrait of Johan van der Does the Younger, Librarian in Leiden
Giovanni Battista Salvi (Il Sassoferrato)
Portrait of a Man
Self-portrait (?)
Portrait of Samuel Ampzing (ca.1591-1632)
Portrait of Florentius Schoonhoven, Poet in Latin, Burgomaster of Gouda
Filippo d'Angeli
Magistrado veneciano
Portrait of a man
Bildnis eines Mannes
Portrait of a Bearded Man
