Artwork
Portrait of a Standing Man with Gloves
Portrait of a Standing Man with Gloves is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Hals. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario.
About this work
Overview
Jan Hals’s oil portrait, dated 1648, presents a standing gentleman whose pose and attire convey a sense of dignity. The figure occupies a darkened backdrop that accentuates his form, while his direct gaze engages the viewer. The work is part of the collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario, where it remains on display.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is portrayed in a solemn manner, his arms crossed and his expression composed, suggesting a status of respectability. The white collar and hat, together with the gloves he holds, signal the conventions of gentlemanly dress in the mid‑seventeenth century, hinting at the social rank of the individual.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a limited palette that deepens the surrounding darkness and highlights the textures of fabric and flesh. Hals’s handling of light creates a subtle sheen on the gloves and a crisp delineation of the collar, while the brushwork remains controlled, emphasizing realism over decorative flourish.
History & Provenance
Created in 1648, the portrait entered the Art Gallery of Ontario’s holdings at an unspecified later date, where it has been catalogued as a representative work of Jan Hals. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented, but the painting has been recognized as part of the artist’s oeuvre since the 19th century.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Portrait of a man
Portrait of a man
Bildnis eines Mannes (Art des)
Portrait of Gerard Abrahamsz van der Schalcke (1609-67), Haarlem cloth merchant
Portrait of a Middle-Aged Man
Gaspar de Crayer
Portrait of a Man in a Tall Hat
Portrait of a Gentleman
Adriaen Tegularius
Adriaen Banckert, Vice Admiral of Zeeland
Portrait of a man
Portrait of a Young Man Holding a Glove