“Portrait of a Man” is a small-scale artwork attributed to El Greco, executed around 1586 in Spain. The medium is oil on cardboard, which aligns with the Mannerist style evident during the Late Renaissance period. The dimensions of the artwork are notably modest, measuring merely 7.9 by 5.7 centimeters. Acquiring a portrait genre, the artwork is part of the collection at the Hispanic Society of America, located in New York City, NY, USA.
In examining the artwork, one observes that the portrait features a male subject, captured from the chest up in a three-quarter view. His attire is of a somber hue, almost certainly indicative of the fashion of the Spanish aristocracy or intelligentsia of the late 16th century, characterized by a severe black garment and an elaborate white ruff encircling his neck. His facial features are presented with meticulous detail despite the reduced scale of the work, showing a well-groomed beard and mustache, penetrating eyes that gaze directly at the viewer, and a calm, yet expressive countenance.
Through the portrait, El Greco has adeptly accomplished to convey a sense of the subject’s personality and social status, a testament to his abilities in portraiture. The painting is held against a plain, dark background, which extends to the oval border that encapsulates the subject, a typical aspect of portraits from this era fostering focus upon the individual’s visage and attire. Such a work signifies the artist’s contribution to Mannerism and provides invaluable insights into the portrayal of individuals during the Late Renaissance.
