Who painted Half-Length Portrait of an Old Man?

Half-Length Portrait of an Old Man was painted by Daniel de Koninck in 1701.

Where can I see Half-Length Portrait of an Old Man?

Half-Length Portrait of an Old Man is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Half-Length Portrait of an Old Man?

Half-Length Portrait of an Old Man is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Half-Length Portrait of an Old Man

Daniel de Koninck , 1701

Half-Length Portrait of an Old Man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Daniel de Koninck. It dates from 1701 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Daniel de Koninck’s 1701 oil on canvas, titled Half‑Length Portrait of an Old Man, is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work presents a solitary figure rendered in a restrained palette, emphasizing the sitter’s dignified bearing through a stark compositional arrangement.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts an elderly gentleman with light‑colored hair, dressed in a formal, stiff‑collared garment. He wears a sizable hat adorned with a feather and a decorative pin, and his expression is sober, suggesting a character of status and contemplation.

Technique & Style

Koninck employs a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, using deep shadows to model the face against an unadorned black backdrop. The contrast between illuminated features and surrounding darkness heightens the three‑dimensionality of the sitter, while the limited color scheme focuses attention on texture and form.

History & Provenance

Created in the early eighteenth century, the painting entered the holdings of Denmark’s national gallery, the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces a relatively straightforward path from the artist’s studio to the museum’s collection, reflecting the work’s continued relevance to Danish art history.