Who painted Bildnis eines bärtigen Mannes?

Bildnis eines bärtigen Mannes was painted by Paris Bordone in 1523.

Where can I see Bildnis eines bärtigen Mannes?

Bildnis eines bärtigen Mannes is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Bildnis eines bärtigen Mannes?

Bildnis eines bärtigen Mannes is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Bildnis eines bärtigen Mannes

Paris Bordone , 1523

Bildnis eines bärtigen Mannes is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Paris Bordone. It dates from 1523 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1523, this oil portrait depicts a bearded gentleman holding a book, set against a deep, shadowy backdrop that isolates the figure. The work is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings and exemplifies the artist’s early engagement with the evolving Baroque sensibility while still rooted in Venetian training.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, presented with a solemn gaze, wears a dark coat over a white shirt, his beard and hair rendered in subdued tones. The inclusion of a book suggests literacy or scholarly pursuits, and his direct eye contact invites contemplation of his personal identity and status.

Technique & Style

Executed with a vigorous brushstroke, the portrait balances Mannerist complexity—evident in the elongated proportions and refined detailing—with a straightforward realism. The dark background amplifies the chiaroscuro effect, highlighting the texture of the fabric and the nuanced modeling of the face.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it remains on display. Its attribution to the Venetian-trained painter reflects his early career phase before his later, more elaborate compositions.

Context

Produced during a transitional period between High Renaissance and early Baroque, the work reflects the shifting artistic priorities of early 16th‑century Italy. The artist’s apprenticeship under Titian informed his color palette and compositional confidence, while his own emerging style hints at the forthcoming Mannerist tendencies.

Artist & collection

Artist

Paris Bordone

Paris Bordone (Paris Paschalinus Bordone; 5 July 1500 – 19 January 1571) was an Italian painter of the Venetian Renaissance who, despite training with Titian, maintained a strand of Mannerist complexity and provincial vigor.