Portrait of a Man

Dieric Bouts Netherlandish
ca. 1470
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 602

Carefully observed details, such as the loose skin beneath the eyes and the creases by the mouth and brows, create an appearance of realism that is characteristic of Bouts’s work. The panel has been cut down on all sides, making it unclear whether this is an independent portrait or a former part of a religious triptych or larger composition. The hat is an unusual feature for a devotional figure with the hands joined in a gesture of prayer. They were painted over the man’s jacket, and with time, this has resulted in a slightly darker appearance.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Man
  • Artist: Dieric Bouts (Netherlandish, Haarlem, active by 1457–died 1475)
  • Date: ca. 1470
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: Overall 12 x 8 1/2 in. (30.5 x 21.6 cm); painted surface 11 5/8 x 8 1/8 in. (29.5 x 20.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
  • Object Number: 14.40.644
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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