The artwork titled “Portrait of a Member of the Wedigh Family,” created by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1532, is a notable piece from the Northern Renaissance art movement. Depicted on wood using tempera, this portrait measures 42 by 31.8 centimeters and is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork features a young man, believed to be in his late twenties as suggested by the text on the right, wearing a dark, fur-lined coat and a black hat. His face is calm and composed, looking slightly to the left, with finely detailed features, exemplifying Holbein’s meticulous attention to realism and texture. The subject’s hands rest on a green surface, holding a piece of paper or document, indicative of his status or profession. The background is a rich, deep blue, which enhances the detailed depiction of the figure, emphasizing Holbein’s skill in creating depth and realism. To the left of the sitter, the inscription “ANNO 1532” and to the right “AETATIS SUAE 29” are visible, marking the year of the painting and the age of the subject respectively. The overall composition and execution reflect the classical characteristics of Northern Renaissance portraiture.
