Artwork
Portrait of a Middle-Aged Man
Portrait of a Middle-Aged Man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard ter Borch. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Gerard ter Borch painted 'Portrait of a Middle-Aged Man' in 1660 using oil on canvas. The work is a representative example of Dutch Golden Age portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man in formal attire standing beside a table with a chair, his hand resting on the table's edge. The contrast between his dark clothing and white linen accents draws the viewer's eye, while his serious expression suggests a contemplative mood.
Technique & Style
Ter Borch's use of oil paint allows for subtle nuances in texture and tone, capturing the intricate folds of the man's clothing and the fabric draped over the table. The artist's attention to everyday detail is characteristic of his style.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, a testament to its enduring significance within the Dutch Golden Age canon.
Legacy
Ter Borch's influence can be seen in the work of contemporaries such as Johannes Vermeer, who also explored intimate domestic settings and subtle psychological insight in their paintings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
