Portrait of a Man
Medium
Oil on wood
Dimensions
Overall, with arched top and engaged frame, 18 1/8 x 13 1/2 in. (46 x 34.3 cm); painted surface 15 5/8 x 11 1/4 in. (39.7 x 28.6 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Department
European Paintings
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
Accession Number
32.100.49
Tags
Art Historical Context
Quinten Massys, a leading Flemish painter of the early 16th century and founder of the Antwerp painters guild, crafted this *Portrait of a Man* oil on wood, a medium prized for its smooth surface that allowed exquisite detail and luminous glazes. Though the exact date is unknown, the work exemplifies the Northern Renaissance tradition of intimate donor portraits, where sitters—often merchants or patrons—gaze directly at the viewer, conveying status and individuality. The arched top and engaged frame enhance its devotional quality, typical of panel paintings meant for private homes or chapels. ...