Who painted Portrait of a man with a scar?

Portrait of a man with a scar was painted by Gérard Douffet in 1627.

Where can I see Portrait of a man with a scar?

Portrait of a man with a scar is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of a man with a scar?

Portrait of a man with a scar is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a man with a scar?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a man with a scar are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a man with a scar

Gérard Douffet , 1627

Portrait of a man with a scar is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Gérard Douffet. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1627, this oil portrait presents a gentleman whose facial features are rendered with meticulous attention, highlighted by a distinct mark on his cheek. The sitter is dressed in an elaborate dark coat trimmed with lace, complemented by a narrow hat positioned behind him. The composition balances the figure against a subdued backdrop, emphasizing the individual's presence.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a seated man, his right hand resting on a modest table that supports a folded document, suggesting a contemplative or scholarly activity. The visible scar on his cheek adds a personal narrative element, hinting at past experience or identity, while the refined attire conveys status and fashion of the early seventeenth‑century European elite.

Technique & Style

Employing a soft, directional illumination, the painter accentuates the texture of the lace and the flesh tones, creating a subtle contrast with the dark surroundings. This handling of light and shadow aligns with the chiaroscuro approach typical of early Baroque painting, lending the surface a tactile realism that draws the eye to the sitter’s face and garments.

History & Provenance

The portrait is attributed to Gérard Douffet, a Walloon artist born in Liège in 1594 who briefly apprenticed in Rubens’s workshop before traveling to Italy. After his Italian period, Douffet returned north, and the painting eventually entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.

Context

Douffet’s work reflects the early Baroque interest in individualized representation and expressive detail, trends influenced by his exposure to both Flemish and Italian artistic circles. The emphasis on realistic texture, nuanced lighting, and personal attributes such as the scar situates the portrait within a broader movement toward psychological depth in portraiture during the early seventeenth century.