Artwork
Portrait of a Young Man
Portrait of a Young Man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Corneille de Lyon. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1550, this oil portrait is attributed to the French painter Corneille de Lyon. It presents a young male sitter rendered against a muted yellow‑green backdrop and is part of the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a youthful figure with short dark hair, a solemn expression, and a direct gaze that engages the viewer. He wears a dark, buttoned jacket over a white collar, suggesting a modest yet respectable social standing typical of mid‑sixteenth‑century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Corneille employs a restrained palette and a relatively flat background, allowing the figure to dominate the composition. Thick, tactile brushwork appears on the collar and jacket, while the side lighting creates a subtle chiaroscuro that models the cheek and forehead, giving the face a modest three‑dimensionality.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, through acquisition in the early twentieth century, though earlier ownership records remain sparse. Its attribution to Corneille de Lyon has been supported by stylistic comparison with other known works by the artist.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Corneille de Lyon was a Dutch painter of portraits who was active in Lyon, France, from 1533 until his death. In France and the Netherlands he is also still known as Corneille de La Haye after his birthplace, The Hague.
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