Artwork

Bearded Old Man

Bearded Old Man, by Pieter Soutman, unspecified, 1626
Bearded Old Man, by Pieter Soutman, unspecified, 1626

Bearded Old Man is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Pieter Soutman. It dates from 1626 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Bearded Old Man is a 1626 portrait painting by Pieter Soutman, currently in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a close-up of an elderly man with a long white beard and curly hair, his head turned slightly to the side as he looks downward and away, conveying a sense of introspection.

Technique & Style

Soutman employed soft lighting to accentuate the subject's facial wrinkles and beard texture, utilizing chiaroscuro to create depth in the composition against a dark background.

History & Provenance

Created in 1626, the work is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst's collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided in the available information.

Context

The piece reflects the early 17th-century Dutch interest in detailed, intimate portraits, focusing on the capture of aging and emotional depth.

Legacy

While not widely discussed in broad art historical narratives, the painting exemplifies Soutman's skill in capturing subtle, expressive portraits, potentially influencing later Dutch painters in their depiction of aging subjects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Pieter Soutman

Artist

Pieter Soutman

Pieter Soutman (1593–1657) was a Dutch artist, born in Haarlem.