Artwork
En gammel mand. Allegorisk fremstilling af synet
En gammel mand. Allegorisk fremstilling af synet is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Karel van Mander III. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1639, this oil painting by Karel van Mander III presents an elderly figure rendered as an allegorical personification of sight. The work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is displayed among other 17th‑century Dutch paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is an aged man with a long white beard, round spectacles, and a dark robe trimmed in gold embroidery. His upward gaze and thoughtful expression suggest a contemplative act of seeing, aligning with the traditional allegorical practice of embodying abstract senses in human form.
Technique & Style
Van Mander employs chiaroscuro to model the sitter against a deep, muted background, giving the portrait a three‑dimensional presence. The careful handling of light on the beard, glasses, and embroidered details highlights the artist’s skill in rendering texture and material within the oil medium.
History & Provenance
The painting has remained in Danish public ownership since its acquisition by the Statens Museum for Kunst. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s workshop in the early 17th century, reflecting the period’s interest in allegorical portraiture and the circulation of such works across Northern Europe.
Artist & collection
