Artwork
Portrait of Pieter Salina
Portrait of Pieter Salina is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Cornelis Engelsz.. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Pieter Salina is an oil painting created by Cornelis Engelsz. in 1512, featuring a seated male figure in a distinctive, ornate setting.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Pieter Salina, is portrayed with a serious demeanor, clad in a brown robe over a red undergarment, and adorned with white gloves. His right hand holds a red, unidentified object (possibly a book or glove) on a ledge, while a shield behind him displays four miniature scenes, suggesting potential symbolic or biographical significance.
Technique & Style
The painting employs chiaroscuro, a technique characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark. This is evident in the dramatic lighting that illuminates a sliver of the subject's cheek while casting deep shadows across his face, enhancing the overall sense of depth and volume.
History & Provenance
The work is part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum, though the specifics of its acquisition and earlier ownership history are not detailed here.
Context
Created in 1512, the portrait reflects the artistic influences of its time, including the use of symbolic elements (such as the shield and unknown red object) common in early 16th-century portraiture, aimed at conveying the subject's status, interests, or allegiances.
Artist & collection
