Artwork
Portrait of a young man
Portrait of a young man is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Nicolaes Maes, a Dutch artist who studied with Rembrandt, painted this portrait in 1670. Executed in oil on canvas, the work presents a young gentleman in a restrained composition typical of the Dutch Golden Age, and it now belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown with curly, reddish‑gold hair, a dark coat and a white lace collar, his red sleeve visible beneath a patterned brown jacket. The inclusion of a cravat and fine lace signals his social standing, while the plain, dark backdrop concentrates attention on his face and shoulders.
Technique & Style
Maes employs a subtle chiaroscuro, using soft illumination to bring the facial features forward against surrounding shadows. The delicate rendering of the lace collar and the careful brushwork on the fabric convey texture and suggest the sitter’s wealth without overt embellishment.
History & Provenance
Initially painted in Dordrecht, where Maes began his career, the portrait later entered the holdings of the Rijksmuseum. The work reflects Maes’s transition from genre scenes to portraiture, a shift that would eventually make him Amsterdam’s pre‑eminent portraitist.
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.
