Artwork
Portrait of a Young Man of the Van Steynoert Family
Portrait of a Young Man of the Van Steynoert Family is an oil painting. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The Portrait of a Young Man of the Van Steynoert Family (1512) exemplifies early Netherlandish portraiture through its meticulous technique and materials.
The Portrait of a Young Man of the Van Steynoert Family (1512) exemplifies early Netherlandish portraiture through its meticulous technique and materials. Executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, the work measures 34.6 × 25.7 cm. The medium allowed for layered glazes, enabling subtle tonal transitions and lifelike flesh tones characteristic of the period. The artist's handling demonstrates fine brushwork, with delicate detailing in the sitter's features, hair, and textile patterns, reflecting the refined craftsmanship of the Northern Renaissance.
Stylistically, the portrait adheres to conventions of the era, featuring a three-quarter view, a neutral background, and an emphasis on individualized physiognomy rather than idealization.
History & Provenance
The work was commissioned by the Van Steynoert family in the early 16th century, painted circa 1512 by a Netherlandish painter in oil on panel. It measures 34.6 by 25.7 centimetres. It entered the collection of Michael Friedsam, who bequeathed it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is catalogued under accession number 27.100.5.
The painting depicts a male subject in the Netherlandish portrait tradition, and the available records do not list any specific exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Portrait of a Young Man of the Van Steynoert Family, depicts a youthful figure. The subject is presented in a dark cloak and a white collar, his gaze directed outward. He holds a small flower, while his other arm rests on a visible ledge.
A dark background serves to emphasize his form, with a subtle coat of arms visible on his shoulder, indicating his familial identity.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait features a young man with short dark hair, distinguished by a dark cloak and a crisp white collar. His family connection is subtly referenced by a small coat of arms placed on his shoulder. In one hand, he delicately holds a small flower, which appears to carry symbolic significance, though its precise meaning is not explicitly stated. This element, alongside his composed posture, suggests a deliberate presentation of his character or status.
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