Portrait of a Man 1581
adriaenthomaszkey
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"Portrait of a Man" (1581) by Adriaen Thomasz. Key, a Dutch painter from the 16th century, is a fine example of Northern Renaissance portraiture. The painting, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Key's meticulous attention to detail, evident in the subject's realistic features, meticulously rendered beard and mustache, and the intricate detailing of the ruff collar. The artwork's simple composition highlights the sitter's presence, capturing his personality through a direct gaze and subtle expression.
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Unfortunately, the identity of this man wearing a ruff and slashed doublet is not known. The inscription at upper left reveals that he was 38 years old in 1581, when this portrait was painted. To judge from his Latin motto Patientia Spe (‘With patience and hope’), he must have been a cautious man – a trait that is certainly conveyed here.
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