Artwork
Old man with a slate
Old man with a slate is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Christopher Paudiß. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Christoph Paudiß, a Bavarian painter active in the mid‑17th century, executed the oil work *Old man with a slate* in 1645. The portrait, now part of the Alte Pinakothek collection, presents a solitary elderly figure against a dark backdrop, emphasizing the sitter’s presence through restrained composition and muted lighting.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is an aged man with a full white beard and hair, dressed in a dark robe. He holds a blank slate in his left hand while his right index finger rests upon it, inviting contemplation. His neutral gaze meets the viewer directly, suggesting an introspective moment rather than a narrative scene.
Technique & Style
Paudiß employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to model the man's features and the slate, while the lighter tones of his beard and clothing emerge from the gloom. The oil medium allows subtle gradations of tone, creating a three‑dimensional effect that focuses attention on the hand and the object he holds.
History & Provenance
Created during the Dutch Golden Age, the painting reflects the period’s interest in detailed, psychological portraiture. After its completion, the work entered various private collections before being acquired by the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it remains on display as an example of Paudiß’s Baroque approach influenced by his master Rembrandt.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christoph(er) Paudiß (1630 in Lower Saxony – 1666 in Freising, Upper Bavaria) was a Bavarian Baroque painter and a student of Rembrandt van Rijn.
