Artwork
Portrait of a 42-year-old man
Portrait of a 42-year-old man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1669 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
The Portrait of a 42-year-old man is a 1669 oil painting by Nicolaes Maes, a Dutch artist known for his portraits and other works. It is part of the Alte Pinakothek's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man in his 40s with a serious expression, dressed in a dark brown coat and white shirt, with his hands clasped over his chest. He is set against a dark background with a faintly lit stone ledge.
Technique & Style
The artist employed soft lighting to create contrast between the subject's face and the surrounding shadows, using a technique that emphasizes volume and depth. Smooth brushstrokes with no visible texture characterize the painting's execution.
History & Provenance
Created during the Dutch Golden Age, the painting reflects the period's artistic flourishing. Maes, trained under Rembrandt, worked in Dordrecht before becoming a leading portraitist in Amsterdam.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.
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