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Portrait of a Man

Hugo van der Goes Netherlandish
ca. 1475
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 602

The heightened realism of this portrait, especially the beard stubble, is a hallmark of Hugo van der Goes’s work. By setting the man’s head against a dark interior, next to a bright window, the accentuated contrast of light and shadow enhances the modeling of the facial features. The portrait was later cut into an oval shape from a rectangular panel, which probably originally formed part of a devotional triptych. The sitter, with his hands joined in prayer, directs his gaze toward the missing religious image.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Man
  • Artist: Hugo van der Goes (Netherlandish, Ghent, active by 1467–died 1482 Roode-Klooster)
  • Date: ca. 1475
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: Oval, overall 12 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. (31.8 x 26.7 cm); painted surface 12 1/2 x 10 1/4 in. (31.8 x 26 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
  • Object Number: 29.100.15
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Portrait of an Old Man, Hugo van der Goes Netherlandish, Oil on paper, laid down on wood
Portrait of an Old Man
Hugo van der Goes
ca. 1470–75
The Adoration of the Magi, Hugo van der Goes Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Adoration of the Magi
Hugo van der Goes
A Benedictine Monk, Hugo van der Goes Netherlandish, Oil on wood
A Benedictine Monk
Hugo van der Goes
The Adoration of the Magi, Quinten Massys Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Adoration of the Magi
Quinten Massys
1526
The Annunciation, Hans Memling Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Annunciation
Hans Memling
ca. 1465–70

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