Portrait of a Middle-Aged Man
Artist/Maker
Material / Technique
Dimensionsh x w: Mått 50 x 40 cm
Inventory numberNMDrh 319
Other titlesTitle (sv): Okänd man, porträtt Title (en): Portrait of a Middle-Aged Man
DescriptionCatalogue raisonné: Description in Flemish paintings C. 1600-C. 1800 III, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, 2010, cat.no. 239: Inscription (on reverse): “Van Dyck. Ett Portrait. No. 281” [Van Dyck A Portrait. No. 281] (on Royal Museum label); and also: “Vandeykk. Ritratto. Mart. 436” (on label) Technical notes: The support consists of a single piece of fabric woven in a plain weave technique. The painting has probably been trimmed and mounted in an oval strainer. The painting has been lined. The preparation consists of a thickly and evenly applied ground that completely covers the structure of the support. A dark imprimatura is present. The paint layer has been applied opaquely. The waistlength figure dressed in a black skull-cap and a floppy white collar and black garments against a brownish background. A reserve for the face was left in the background. The hair is partly rendered above the imprimatura. The painting underwent conservation treatment in 1884 and 1954. Provenance: Martelli no. 436 (as Anthony van Dyck); KM nr. 281 (as Anthony van Dyck); NM 1866, deaccessioned; Drh 319 (as workshop of Anthony van Dyck). This is a portrait of an anonymous man, his face halfturned to the right to face the viewer. The middle-aged sitter is wearing a black skull-cap and a black garment with a white turned-down collar. He is depicted against a neutral brown background with no indication of any setting. The oval portrait has a gilt baroque frame. This painting formed part of the Martelli collection which came to Sweden from Rome in the early 19th century. At that time it was attributed to Anthony van Dyck according to the inscription on the reverse that has been preserved. As with several other paintings whose provenance can be traced to the Martelli collection, this attribution was wishful thinking rather than the result of any stylistic or technical evaluation. The portrait appears to be Flemish although it cannot be linked to Anthony van Dyck or his school but is instead the work of an anonymous Flemish artist working in the 17th century. KS [End]
Collection
TechniquePainting
Object category