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Portrait of a Young Man

Hans Memling Netherlandish
ca. 1472–75
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 953
One of the most sought-after Netherlandish portrait painters of his time, Memling’s meticulous attention to detail is notable in the remarkable naturalism of the sitter’s physiognomy and the texture of his velvet, fur-trimmed tunic. The young man was likely one of the many Florentine visitors to, or residents of, Bruges, several of whom commissioned portraits from the artist. It appears that shortly after it was painted, the panel was sent to Florence, where it provided inspiration to Italian artists, who deeply admired Netherlandish painting. A Madonna and Child (Louvre, Paris) painted about 1476-77 and variously attributed to Verrocchio and Ghirlandaio, includes the same landscape vista and classicizing columns. The Italianate columns, which indicate Memling’s familiarity with Italian art and would have pleased his Florentine patron, illustrate that the relationship between Northern and Southern European artists was one of reciprocal influence.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Young Man
  • Artist: Hans Memling (Netherlandish, Seligenstadt, active by 1465–died 1494 Bruges)
  • Date: ca. 1472–75
  • Medium: Oil on oak panel
  • Dimensions: Overall 15 3/4 x 11 3/8 in. (40 x 29 cm); painted surface 15 1/8 x 10 3/4 in. (38.3 x 27.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.112
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

More Artwork

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The Annunciation, Hans Memling Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Annunciation
Hans Memling
ca. 1465–70
Cassetta frame, Poplar. Gilt; dull orange-brown bole., Italian, Bolognese
Cassetta frame
Italian, Bolognese
early 17th century
Salvator Mundi, Hans Memling Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Salvator Mundi
Hans Memling
1480–85
The Annunciation, Hans Memling Netherlandish, Oil on panel, transferred to canvas
The Annunciation
Hans Memling
1480–89
Virgin and Child, Hans Memling Netherlandish, Oil on oak panel, Netherlandish
Virgin and Child
Hans Memling
Early sixteenth century

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