Who painted Portrait of an old man with hourglass?

Portrait of an old man with hourglass was painted by Govert Flinck in 1637.

Where can I see Portrait of an old man with hourglass?

Portrait of an old man with hourglass is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of an old man with hourglass?

Portrait of an old man with hourglass is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of an old man with hourglass

Govert Flinck , 1637

Portrait of an old man with hourglass is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Govert Flinck. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Govert Flinck’s 1637 oil painting, titled Portrait of an Old Man with Hourglass, presents a solitary figure rendered in monochrome tones. The work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it is displayed among other Dutch Golden Age pieces.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas portrays an elderly gentleman with a flowing white beard and curled hair, dressed in a dark robe. He rests one hand on his chest while the other clasps a transparent hourglass, its sand slipping away, evoking the passage of time and the transience of human existence.

Technique & Style

Flinck employs a stark chiaroscuro scheme, contrasting deep shadows with illuminated highlights to model the figure’s features. The limited palette and careful handling of light create a three‑dimensional effect, emphasizing the texture of the beard, the sheen of the hourglass, and the weight of the robe.

History & Provenance

Executed in 1637, the portrait entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings during the museum’s 19th‑century acquisitions of Dutch art. Its provenance prior to that period is not extensively documented, but the painting has remained a notable example of Flinck’s portraiture throughout its museum tenure.