Artwork
Portrait of a young Man
Portrait of a young Man is a paint painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans von Kulmbach. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Hans von Kulmbach, a German painter active in the early sixteenth century, created the oil portrait of a young man in 1520. The work belongs to the Northern Renaissance and is presently displayed in the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. It exemplifies the artist’s skill in rendering individual likenesses within a restrained compositional frame.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented with short, curly blond hair and a solemn expression, dressed in a dark brown coat over a white shirt accented by a gold chain. His hands rest on a dark, box‑like object, suggesting a position of modest authority or personal wealth, while the plain background directs attention to his facial features.
Technique & Style
Kulmbach employs a clear chiaroscuro scheme, using strong light to illuminate the face and chain against a shadowed backdrop. The contrast creates a three‑dimensional modeling of the features, while fine brushwork renders the metallic texture of the necklace. The overall effect is a restrained yet vivid portrayal typical of Northern Renaissance portraiture.
History & Provenance
The portrait entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, where it remains on view. Kulmbach, best known for the Kraków St John’s Altar, worked across German and Polish territories, and this painting reflects his itinerant career and the cross‑regional artistic exchanges of the period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Suess, known as Hans von Kulmbach (1480 in Kulmbach, Franconia – prior to 3 December 1522 in Nuremberg), was a German artist active in Poland. Hans von Kulmbach was the artist who created the Kraków St John's Altar.
