Portrait of a Man

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Buy a print or image licence

You can purchase this reproduction

If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

This painting was bequeathed to the National Gallery in 1900 but we have no record of earlier owners, nor of the name of the sitter or artist, nor of the date. It’s hard even to be sure where it was made. Until the 1950s it was thought to be Dutch, but now it’s believed that the style of painting suggests it probably comes from Flanders. The black coat with the simple, straight-edged collar and cuffs does help us narrow down the date: it’s in the French style of the 1650s. The sitter’s pose also tells us something about how he wanted to be perceived. By looking away from us and turning his head towards the light, he presents his features in the most flattering way and creates a sense of calm, superior detachment. The hands are placed carefully too, one suspended in front of him and the other resting on the top of a cane perhaps.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Portrait of a Man

Date

probably 1645-55

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 100 x W 80.7 cm

Accession number

NG1700

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Miss Pilbrow, 1900

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue