The artwork, titled “Portrait of a Man,” was created by Rogier van der Weyden circa 1464. It belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement and exemplifies the portrait genre. Currently, this masterpiece is housed in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork features a solemn, introspective depiction of a man with a distinct hairstyle of straight, brown hair cut across his forehead and ears. His skin is rendered with a lifelike texture, emphasizing a pallor perhaps indicative of the era’s aristocratic complexion. The subject’s gaze is directed slightly downward and to the side, suggesting contemplation or pensiveness, which is further accentuated by the gentle yet firm lines of his aged face. The background is dark, contrasting with the lighter tones of the man’s face and emphasizing his features, a technique characteristic of van der Weyden’s meticulous style. The understated elegance and profound realism capture the essence of Northern Renaissance portraiture.
