The artwork titled “Portrait of an Old Man” was created by Hans Holbein the Younger between 1525 and 1527 in Germany. This work of art, executed in oil on panel, belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. It measures 62 by 47 centimeters and is categorized under the genre of portraiture. Presently, the artwork is housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork depicts an elderly gentleman with a contemplative and sagacious expression. The old man is adorned in somber, dark attire that contrasts starkly against the muted, almost invisible background, drawing the viewer’s focus onto his face and hands. The masterful use of light and shadow accentuates the man’s lined face and wispy white hair, highlighting the artist’s attention to detail and his skill in capturing the essence of the subject’s age and wisdom. The man’s hands, aged and veined, gently clasp a rolled piece of paper, indicating a life of learnedness or perhaps official duties. The overall tone of the portrait is both respectful and introspective, reflecting the Northern Renaissance style’s nuanced approach to human emotion and individuality.
