Who painted Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man was painted by Jan van Calcar in 1536.

Where can I see Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Portrait of a Man?

Portrait of a Man is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Jan van Calcar , 1536

Portrait of a Man is a paint painting by the Mannerist artist Jan van Calcar. It dates from 1536 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Man, created by Jan van Calcar in 1536, is an oil-on-panel painting executed in the mannerist style. The work features a solitary male subject set against a subdued background.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a male figure, likely of noble or military rank, indicated by his dark, formal attire and the sword held in his right hand. His gaze directed to the right adds a sense of introspection or distraction.

Technique & Style

Characteristic of mannerist portraiture, the painting employs a neutral, dark background to focus attention on the subject. The style is marked by the artist's use of oil on panel, typical for the period.

History & Provenance

Jan van Calcar, born around 1499 in the Holy Roman Empire, was active as a painter in the Kingdom of Naples. The portrait is currently part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

Context

The painting reflects the mannerist tendencies of the 16th century, emphasizing the subject's emotional state through pose and gaze, while the attire and sword signify social status.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jan van Calcar

Jan Steven van Calcar (Italian: Giovanni da Calcar, Latin: Ioannes Stephanus Calcarensis) (c. 1499–1546) was a Holy Roman Empire-born painter in the Kingdom of Naples.