Artwork
Portrait of a young man
Portrait of a young man is a tempera painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Master of the Bruges Legend of St. Ursula. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich. Created around 1500, this tempera portrait presents a young man rendered with the meticulous attention typical of the Northern Renaissance.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1500, this tempera portrait presents a young man rendered with the meticulous attention typical of the Northern Renaissance. The work is attributed to the anonymous Master of the Bruges Legend of St. Ursula, a fifteenth‑century Flemish painter identified by his recurring motifs. Currently, the painting belongs to the collection of Kunsthaus Zürich.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown with dark, shoulder‑length hair, a black hat, and a black coat layered over a red‑and‑white striped shirt. His neutral expression and leftward gaze convey a restrained, introspective presence, characteristic of portraiture that emphasizes individual identity without overt symbolism.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the painting displays the fine, layered brushwork that allows for precise detailing of fabrics and facial features. The muted green background recedes, highlighting the sitter’s attire and the subtle modeling of light on his skin, reflecting the realistic approach favored by Northern artists of the period.
History & Provenance
The work is linked to the Master of the Bruges Legend of St. Ursula, whose name derives from a polyptych illustrating Saint Ursula’s life, often set against the backdrop of Bruges’ Church of Notre‑Dame tower. Though the artist’s identity remains unknown, the painting’s provenance traces to its acquisition by the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the Bruges Legend of St. Ursula
The Master of the Legend of St. Ursula (1436–1505) was a Flemish painter active in the fifteenth century. His name is derived from a polyptych depicting scenes from the life of Saint Ursula painted for the convent of…
Virgin and Child
Inner left wing of a triptych with the donor, his two sons and St John the Evangelist
Virgin and Child with Angels
The adoration of the Christ-child and Saints John the Baptist and Donatius
Virgin and Child and Saint John the Baptist
Diptych with the Virgin and Child and Three Donors
Three Donors
Portrait of a young man
