Artwork
Man In armour, with yellow flowing hair

Man In armour, with yellow flowing hair is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter Nason. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Man in Armour, with Yellow Flowing Hair is an oil painting created by Dutch artist Pieter Nason around 1660, during the Dutch Golden Age. The work is characterized by its depiction of a military figure with distinctive yellow hair, set against a dark background with subtle landscape elements.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a man in shining armor, conveys a sense of military dignity. His direct gaze and slight smile suggest confidence and approachability. The rolled-up paper in his right hand and sword at his left may symbolize both intellectual and martial pursuits, though the specific identity or allegory remains unclear.
Technique & Style
Nason employed oil paint to achieve rich, reflective textures, particularly in the armor. The contrast between the dark, muted background and the figure's vibrant red sash and yellow hair demonstrates Nason's use of color to draw focus. The overall style aligns with the portraiture traditions of the Dutch Golden Age.
History & Provenance
Pieter Nason, a Guild of Painters of The Hague member and co-founder of the Pictura Society (1656), painted this work during his activity in The Hague. The painting is now part of the collection at the Fitzwilliam Museum.
Context
Created amidst the Dutch Golden Age, this painting reflects the era's flourishing artistic production. Nason's involvement with the Pictura Society indicates his engagement with the period's vibrant artistic community.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter Nason (bapt. 16 February 1612, Amsterdam - 1688/90, The Hague) was a Dutch painter. He became a member of the Guild of Painters of The Hague in 1639, and in 1656 was one of the forty seven members who established…

















