Artwork
Portrait of a Man in Profile
Portrait of a Man in Profile is an oil painting. It dates from 1525 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a man seen in profile, a format typical of early sixteenth‑century portraiture that emphasizes facial features and conveys a sense of dignity.
The work depicts a man seen in profile, a format typical of early sixteenth‑century portraiture that emphasizes facial features and conveys a sense of dignity. Executed in oil on panel in 1525, the painting was later acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its provenance includes ownership by Charles‑Léon Cardan and Michael Friedsam, and it was exhibited in the 19th‑century Exposition des primitifs flamands à Bruges.
As a portrait, the image functions to record the sitter’s likeness and, through its conventions, to suggest the subject’s social standing within the cultural context of the period.
Technique & Style
Created in 1525, the Portrait of a Man in Profile is executed in oil paint applied to a wooden panel support. The work measures 33.7 cm in height and 26.7 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece is classified as a portrait depicting a man in profile, adhering to the conventions of early 16th-century Italian painting.
The medium of oil on panel was a standard technique for portable portraits of this era, allowing for detailed rendering of the sitter's features and attire. The painting's physical condition and specific handling of the paint layers are not detailed in the available records, though its survival in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art indicates its structural stability. The composition focuses entirely on the profile view of the male subject, a format that emphasizes the contour and silhouette against the background.
History & Provenance
Portrait of a Man in Profile is an oil-on-panel work dated to 1525. The painting subsequently passed through the hands of two recorded private owners before entering a public collection. Charles-Léon Cardon held the work at one stage, after which it was owned by Michael Friedsam.
The painting is now held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located. During its ownership history the panel was exhibited at the Exposition des primitifs flamands à Bruges, a public presentation that documented its presence in earlier hands prior to its museum accession. No commission details are recorded in the available documentation.
The Portrait of a Man in Profile is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. While specific accession numbers are not detailed in the provided records, the work's provenance includes ownership by Charles-Léon Cardon and Michael Friedsam prior to its acquisition by the museum. The painting, executed in oil on panel in 1525, has been featured in significant exhibitions, most notably the Exposition des primitifs flamands à Bruges.
This display highlights the work's recognition within the context of early Netherlandish and Italian portraiture. The museum currently houses the piece, which measures 33.7 by 26.7 centimeters, maintaining it as part of its permanent holdings of Renaissance art.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Portrait of a Man in Profile, presents a solitary male figure. The artist rendered the subject from the side, highlighting his facial contours and attire against a subdued background. The composition draws attention to the man's features, which are carefully delineated through the application of paint.
Artist & collection
