Artwork
Portrait of a Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat
Portrait of a Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Swiss 16th Century. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a portrait drawing executed in black chalk and wet red chalk, finished with a brown wash on laid paper.
About this work
Overview
The work is a portrait drawing executed in black chalk and wet red chalk, finished with a brown wash on laid paper. It depicts a man’s head and shoulders, turned slightly, his expression serious, his beard short, and a broad-brimmed hat casting a shadow over his forehead. The composition is offset, with the hat’s brim extending beyond the page’s centre, lending a naturalistic balance.
Technique & Style
The artist combines dry black chalk for fine line work with moist red chalk that creates a warm, earthy tonal range. A light brown wash unifies the surface, while darker strokes model shadows, producing a chiaroscuro effect that gives the figure three‑dimensional depth. Soft, blended lines render skin and fabric, contrasting with the sharper edges of the hat’s brim.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears as a dignified, possibly middle‑class individual, indicated by his well‑groomed beard and the fashionable broad‑brimmed hat. The serious expression and subdued palette suggest a straightforward, perhaps documentary intent rather than an idealized portrayal, focusing on the character’s presence rather than narrative.
History & Provenance
Created as a drawing on laid paper, the piece belongs to a tradition of 19th‑century portrait studies that employed chalk and wash to capture likeness quickly. Details of its ownership and exhibition history are not recorded in the supplied information, limiting further provenance discussion.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist drew men in armor, portraits with broad-brimmed hats, and seasonal landscapes like Water and Earth/Autumn and Winter.
