Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1537 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting depicts a man with a prominent red beard and mustache, dressed in a black robe over a white shirt with a red collar.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man, identified as the sole subject of the portrait.
The painting depicts a man, identified as the sole subject of the portrait. Produced in 1537 by the Circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder, the work belongs to the Northern Renaissance tradition of male portraiture, a genre in which Cranach's workshop frequently portrayed sitters with restrained, sober characterization. The portrait's modest dimensions and intimate scale suggest it was conceived as a private likeness rather than a formal state commission, focusing attention on the individual's presence rather than on allegorical or symbolic embellishment.
Because the sitter's identity, social rank, and any personal attributes are not specified in the available records, the painting's meaning resides in its function as a straightforward human likeness rather than in a documented iconographic program. The work represents the sitter as himself, with no confirmed attributes, emblems, or inscriptions recorded to indicate office, profession, or symbolic affiliation.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Man was created in 1537 and is attributed to the Circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder. The painting was formerly owned by Michael Friedsam before entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, where it is currently held and catalogued as a portrait. No accession number or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This painting depicts a man with a prominent red beard and mustache, dressed in a black robe over a white shirt with a red collar. A chain adorns his neck, and he holds a vibrant red apple in his hands, which draws the viewer's eye. The background is largely dark, subtly revealing a faint landscape and green drapery, providing a subdued setting for the figure.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a style characterized by clear lines and meticulous detail, particularly evident in the rendering of the man's features and attire. Soft shadows contribute to a sense of depth and volume, a technique often enhanced by chiaroscuro to create strong contrasts between light and dark. The striking red of the apple is strategically used to provide a vivid counterpoint to the otherwise muted palette, drawing attention to the object.
Artist & collection
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Heinrich(?) vom Rhein zum Mohren (1477–1536)
Pfalzgraf Wolfgang (1494-1558)
Johann I (1468–1532), the Constant, Elector of Saxony
Bildnis eines vornehmen Herren (angeblich Ruprecht Stüpf, Bürgermeister von München)
Portrait of a Man
