Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Unknown in 1750.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Portrait of a Man is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The work titled Portrait of a Man is a small, round image resembling a medal, executed around 1750. It presents a solitary male sitter rendered in monochrome, with a solemn expression and a modest, dark garment that reveals a white collar at the neckline. The piece belongs to the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is depicted with short, slightly disheveled hair, a mustache and goatee, and a direct gaze that conveys a restrained dignity. The minimal attire and the emphasis on facial features suggest an intent to capture personal identity or status rather than narrative content, typical of portraiture aimed at recording an individual’s likeness.

Technique & Style

Executed in a black‑and‑white palette, the image employs a soft, diffused light that isolates the face from a darker surrounding field, creating a clear contrast reminiscent of chiaroscuro. The round format and the crisp rendering of hair and facial hair indicate a careful, perhaps engraved or painted technique that emphasizes line and tonal gradation over color.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the anonymous artist known only as 1626_person, the portrait’s creation is dated circa 1750. Since its acquisition, it has been held by the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of portraiture and ethnographic visual material.