Head of a Young Man c. 1617 - 1618

Anthony van Dyck painted this oil sketch, Head of a Young Man, sometime in the early 17th century. Van Dyck, as a leading light in the Flemish Baroque tradition, lived in a society that was intensely hierarchical. This portrait, with its loose brushwork and focus on the sitter's face, offers a glimpse into the artist's process and perhaps the sitter’s inner life. The young man's gaze is direct, yet there is a vulnerability in his expression, and his slightly flushed cheeks suggest a certain openness. The sketch departs from the formal conventions typically expected when depicting nobility. Although this portrait is a fragment, it reflects a broader societal interest in individualism. Van Dyck captured not just a likeness, but the emotional and psychological state of his subject. Through this intimate portrayal, Van Dyck humanizes his sitter, offering viewers a connection that transcends time and social status.