Artwork

Portrait of a Young Man

Portrait of a Young Man, by Jacob van der Merck, oil, 1648
Portrait of a Young Man, by Jacob van der Merck, oil, 1648

Portrait of a Young Man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jacob van der Merck. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Young Man is an oil painting created by Jacob van der Merck in 1648. It is now held at the State Hermitage Museum.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a young man with curly brown hair and a serious expression, dressed in attire typical of the 17th century, including a black coat and a white shirt with a lace collar.

Technique & Style

The artist employed smooth brushstrokes and chiaroscuro, a technique using strong contrasts of light and dark, to create a three-dimensional effect on the subject's face, emphasizing features such as the shadows under his chin and around his eyes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacob van der Merck

Jacob van der Merck (1610–1664) was an artist, born in 's-Gravendeel.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.