Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Gerard ter Borch.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Gerard ter Borch

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard ter Borch. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1690, this oil painting presents a solitary male figure rendered by Dutch artist Gerard ter Borch. Executed during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the work exemplifies the period’s focus on refined portraiture, capturing the sitter with a restrained yet detailed approach. It now belongs to the collection of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows a gentleman with dark, flowing hair and a composed expression. He wears a brown coat adorned with black embroidered cuffs, a white shirt trimmed with lace, and holds a cane in his left hand while his right rests on his hip. A red‑draped table and a black hat placed upon it provide modest props, underscoring the sitter’s formal bearing and social standing.

Technique & Style

Ter Borch employs a smooth, layered oil technique that allows subtle modulation of light across fabric and flesh. The muted background recedes, directing attention to the intricate detailing of the lace cuffs and embroidered sleeves. His handling of texture—silky coat, crisp lace, polished cane—reflects the meticulous observation characteristic of Dutch genre painters of the late 17th century.

History & Provenance

Although ter Borch achieved considerable recognition in his lifetime, his reputation declined after his death, even as his approach influenced contemporaries such as Johannes Vermeer. The painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains part of the museum’s representation of Dutch Golden Age portraiture.

Artist & collection

Artist

Gerard ter Borch

Gerard ter Borch (Dutch: ; December 1617 – 8 December 1681), also known as Gerard Terburg (Dutch: ), was a Dutch Golden Age painter mainly of genre subjects.