Portrait of a Man by http://www.wikidata.org/.well-known/genid/faf60bc5abc8013b4f7a793aad242f13

http://www.wikidata.org/.well-known/genid/faf60bc5abc8013b4f7a793aad242f13 · 1597-01-01

The Portrait of a Man, painted by Michiel van Mierevelt around 1597 and now at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, has a rich and complex history of attribution. For many years, it was believed to be the work of the renowned Venetian painter Tintoretto, a testament to its quality and intriguing subject.

Later, in the 19th century, the painting was re-attributed to the Spanish Mannerist El Greco. However, careful study of the brushwork and stylistic elements, particularly the meticulous detail in the sitter's ruffled collar and beard, revealed a departure from El Greco's more expressive and fluid technique.

Art historians now largely agree that the portrait is by Michiel van Mierevelt, a prominent Dutch Golden Age painter known for his precise and refined portraiture. While the artist is now identified, the identity of the distinguished man in the portrait remains a fascinating mystery. What stories might his quiet confidence hold?

Details

For centuries, the portrait was attributed to Tintoretto.

Look closely at the precise rendering of his ruffled collar.

The dark, textured fabric contrasts with the white collar and draws attention to the sitter's face.

Transcript

This man has long been a mystery, even to art historians. For centuries, the portrait was attributed to Tintoretto. Then, in the 19th century, it was re-attributed to El Greco. Look closely at the precise rendering of his ruffled collar. This careful detail shows a different hand than El Greco's looser style. Today, scholars believe it is by the Dutch master Michiel van Mierevelt. The true identity of the man, however, remains unknown.