Portrait of a Fat Man

Executed in oil on panel, the painting showcases Campin’s pioneering use of layered glazes to achieve subtle tonal variations in skin and fabric. The fine rendering of the fur trim and the soft modeling of the face reflect a keen observation of texture and light, hallmarks of the early Northern Renaissance approach to realism.

Attributed to Robert Campin, a central figure in the development of early Netherlandish painting, the work was long associated with the anonymous Master of Flémalle before scholarly consensus linked it to Campin. It entered the Gemäldegalerie’s collection in the early 20th century, where it has remained on public display.