Who painted Portrait of an unknown man aged 41 year?

Portrait of an unknown man aged 41 year was painted by Hieronymus van Kessel in 1618.

Where can I see Portrait of an unknown man aged 41 year?

Portrait of an unknown man aged 41 year is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of an unknown man aged 41 year?

Portrait of an unknown man aged 41 year is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of an unknown man aged 41 year

Hieronymus van Kessel , 1618

Portrait of an unknown man aged 41 year is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Hieronymus van Kessel. It dates from 1618 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Created in 1618, this oil portrait shows a middle‑aged man, approximately forty‑one years old, rendered with a high degree of realism.

About this work

The level of detail and realism in this painting is reminiscent of the work of artists who used techniques like chiaroscuro, impasto, and glazing.

This painting depicts a man with dark hair and a beard, dressed in a black jacket with a high collar and lace trim. He stands with his left hand resting on a table, his right arm bent at the elbow.

The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the early 17th century. The artist has used oil paint to create a detailed and realistic image.

The level of detail and realism in this painting is reminiscent of the work of artists who used techniques like chiaroscuro, impasto, and glazing.

Overview

Created in 1618, this oil portrait shows a middle‑aged man, approximately forty‑one years old, rendered with a high degree of realism. He is positioned in a three‑quarter view, his left hand resting on a tabletop while his right arm is bent at the elbow. The work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is an unidentified male, distinguished by dark hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a sober black jacket with a high, lace‑trimmed collar. The formal attire and composed pose suggest a portrait intended to convey status and dignity, typical of early‑seventeenth‑century private commissions.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painter employs meticulous brushwork to model flesh and fabric, achieving a subtle gradation of light and shadow reminiscent of chiaroscuro. Thin layers of glaze enhance the depth of the dark clothing, while modest impasto on the beard and collar adds tactile texture, contributing to the overall lifelike effect.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted by Hieronymus van Kessel, a Flemish artist active in the early 1600s. After changing hands among private collections, it entered the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display as an example of van Kessel’s portraiture.

Context

In the early seventeenth century, portraiture in the Southern Netherlands often combined Northern realism with the emerging Baroque sensibility. Van Kessel’s work reflects this blend, aligning with contemporaneous trends that emphasized individualized likeness and the social standing of the subject through detailed costume and restrained composition.