Artwork
Portret van een man
Portret van een man is an ivory painting. It dates from 1805 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This work is a small-scale portrait executed on ivory, presenting a man from the chest upward.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is a portrait of a man, executed in 1805 on a small ivory support measuring 4.
The work is a portrait of a man, executed in 1805 on a small ivory support measuring 4.5 by 3.7 centimeters. According to the Wikidata record, the painting's main subject is identified simply as a man, and the depiction is likewise limited to a male figure, with no further named sitter or biographical identification provided. The portrait genre and modest ivory format are consistent with miniature portraiture intended as a personal likeness rather than a formal commemorative image, though the sources contain no information about the sitter's identity, status, occupation, or any symbolic attributes such as clothing, insignia, or objects that might indicate his profession or affiliations.
Because the available records describe only the generic subject of "man" without iconographic details, attributes, or allegorical content, the meaning of the work cannot be determined beyond its function as a small-scale likeness of an unnamed male individual produced in the Northern Low Countries and now held in the Rijksmuseum collection.
Technique & Style
Created in 1805, this anonymous portrait is executed on an ivory support, a material that distinguishes it from traditional canvas or panel paintings. The work measures 4.5 cm in height and 3.7 cm in width, reflecting the miniature format typical for ivory portraiture of the period. Classified as a painting within the portrait genre, the piece depicts a man and originates from the Northern Low Countries. The use of ivory suggests a refined handling technique suited to small-scale, detailed rendering.
History & Provenance
Created in 1805 within the Northern Low Countries, this ivory portrait depicts an unidentified man. The work is classified as a painting and is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the identity of the artist remain anonymous, the piece has been documented as part of the museum's holdings. The physical object measures 4.5 cm in height and 3.7 cm in width.
Overview
This work is a small-scale portrait executed on ivory, presenting a man from the chest upward. The figure is turned slightly to the left, his gaze meeting the viewer directly. A muted off‑white background frames the composition, allowing the subject’s features and attire to stand out despite the miniature format.
Artist & collection
