Artwork
Study Head of a Bearded Man
Study Head of a Bearded Man is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Frans Floris. It dates from 1565 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Frans Floris’s oil painting, dated 1565, presents a tightly cropped view of a bearded male sitter. The work is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. Its composition isolates the figure against a dark, unadorned backdrop, emphasizing the facial features and the texture of his hair and beard.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a middle‑aged man with a full, greying beard and untamed curls, dressed in a modest fur‑trimmed garment that falls over one shoulder. The direct, unembellished rendering suggests an interest in capturing the individual’s character and social standing rather than an idealized archetype.
Technique & Style
Floris employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing a focused light source to illuminate the cheek and nose while casting deep shadows beneath the chin and around the ear. This contrast creates a sculptural sense of volume, and the loose brushwork in the hair and fur conveys texture without sacrificing overall clarity.
History & Provenance
Executed in the mid‑sixteenth century, the study entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century. Its provenance prior to museum ownership is not extensively documented, but the work remains a representative example of Floris’s portrait practice during his mature period.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Frans Floris, Frans Floris the Elder or Frans Floris de Vriendt (17 April 1519 – 1 October 1570) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman, print artist and tapestry designer.
