Who painted Portret van een man?

Portret van een man was painted by Pieter Serwouters in 1650.

Where can I see Portret van een man?

Portret van een man is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portret van een man?

Portret van een man is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portret van een man

Pieter Serwouters , 1650

Portret van een man is a graphite painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter Serwouters. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created around the middle of the 17th century, this modestly sized, oval portrait presents a seated gentleman rendered in pencil.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about the techniques used in this drawing, you might want to look into cross-hatching and stippling.

This is a small, oval portrait of a man in a ruffled collar and ornate clothing. He has a mustache and is looking directly at the viewer. The drawing is done in pencil and has a light, sketchy quality to it.

The man's clothing and hairstyle suggest that he is from the 17th century. The level of detail in the drawing is impressive, with intricate folds in the fabric and delicate lines in the face.

If you're interested in learning more about the techniques used in this drawing, you might want to look into cross-hatching and stippling.

Overview

Created around the middle of the 17th century, this modestly sized, oval portrait presents a seated gentleman rendered in pencil. The figure occupies the central space, his gaze meeting the viewer directly, while his attire and facial hair anchor the work firmly within its historical period. The drawing is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, catalogued under the reference Q17340955.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is portrayed in a ruffled collar and richly detailed clothing, suggesting a person of some social standing in the Dutch Golden Age. His direct stare and composed expression convey a sense of self‑assurance, typical of portraiture intended to affirm identity and status. No explicit narrative accompanies the image, leaving the individual’s precise identity uncertain.

Technique & Style

Executed entirely in graphite, the drawing relies on delicate cross‑hatching and stippling to model form and texture. Fine, intersecting lines create subtle tonal variations in the flesh, while more pronounced strokes delineate the intricate folds of the fabric. The overall effect is light and sketch‑like, yet the meticulous rendering of facial features demonstrates a high level of draftsmanship.

History & Provenance

Attributed to Pieter Serwouters, an artist active in the mid‑1600s, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings through acquisition records dating to the early 20th century. Its provenance prior to museum ownership remains undocumented, and the work has not been prominently featured in major exhibitions, serving primarily as an example of Dutch portrait drawing from the period.