Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by Balthasar Denner. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of a Man is a painting on copper by German artist Balthasar Denner, created in 1700. It is a realistic depiction of a man in a dark robe, holding a piece of paper.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is shown in a dark setting, with his face and hands highlighted. He wears a dark robe with a fur-trimmed collar, and holds a piece of paper in his right hand, suggesting a possible intellectual or professional context.
Technique & Style
Denner's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the rendering of the subject's facial features, including fine details such as facial hair. The use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and texture, drawing attention to the subject's face and hands.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst. Balthasar Denner was known to work with assistants or his daughter on certain aspects of his portraits, such as clothing and accessories.
Artist & collection
Artist
Balthasar Denner (15 November 1685 – 14 April 1749) was a German painter, highly regarded as a portraitist.
