Artwork
Sir John Shurley of Isfield (1565–1632)
Sir John Shurley of Isfield (1565–1632) is an oil painting. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This oil painting depicts Sir John Shurley of Isfield, a figure from the late 16th century.
About this work
A man stands in heavy black armor trimmed with gold, a white ruff at his neck, one hand holding a wooden staff and the other resting on a helmet. A blue-and-white striped shield sits in the top left, the date 1588 in the top right. The detailed armor suggests a soldier or a knight.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows Sir John Shurley of Isfield (1565–1632), a man of aristocratic standing, rendered in oil on panel in 1588.
The portrait shows Sir John Shurley of Isfield (1565–1632), a man of aristocratic standing, rendered in oil on panel in 1588. The work depicts him wearing armor, a visual cue that underscores his status and martial role within the society of the time. As a genre piece, the painting functions as a formal record of his appearance and social identity, preserving both his physical features and the symbolism associated with his rank.
The portrait is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the collection of European paintings.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Sir John Shurley of Isfield (1565–1632), dated 1588, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While specific accession numbers are not provided in the available records, the work is cataloged within the museum's holdings as an oil painting on panel. The piece measures 90.8 cm in height and 74.6 cm in width.
It depicts a man in armor and is classified as a portrait genre work. No exhibition history is documented in the provided sources, limiting the record to its current institutional location and physical attributes within the museum's collection.
Overview
This oil painting depicts Sir John Shurley of Isfield, a figure from the late 16th century. Dated 1588, the portrait presents him in elaborate black armor, detailed with gold accents, against a somber background. He wears a prominent white ruff and holds a staff, with his other hand resting on a helmet. A heraldic shield is visible in the upper left, providing further personal identification.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the portrait employs a technique characterized by strong contrasts between light and shadow. This approach, known as chiaroscuro, enhances the three-dimensionality of the figure and the texture of his armor, making the metallic surfaces and the folds of the ruff appear particularly tangible. The dark background further accentuates the illuminated figure, drawing the viewer's attention to the sitter's presence.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Young Man
Portret van een onbekende officier
Portrait of Vicenzo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua
Untitled
Portrait of Johan Ernst I (1582-1617), Count of Nassau-Siegen
Portrait of Ferdinand II of Habsburg (1578-1637, Holy Roman Emperor
Philip III in Armour
Portrait of Nicolas de Droullin
Erzherzog Karl II. (1540-1590) mit dem Blick auf Graz, Kniestück
Portrait of a Man in Armor
Portrait of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange
Philip of Asturias, later Philip III of Spain
