Portrait of Jan van Egmond (1438-1516), Count of Egmond after 1510

This portrait of Jan van Egmond, Count of Egmond, was painted anonymously, likely in the early 16th century, using oil on panel. The artist has paid close attention to the material reality of status. Look at the chain that Jan van Egmond is wearing; it is a physical manifestation of wealth and power. Its cold, hard materiality speaks to the Count’s position in society. And then note the contrasting textures: the soft, yielding fabric of his clothes, the smooth, polished surface of the panel itself. The artist has skillfully rendered these different qualities, highlighting their significance. Consider the labor involved in creating this artwork. From the preparation of the wood panel to the grinding of pigments and application of paint, skilled hands have shaped and transformed raw materials into a compelling image of a man and his place in the world. It reminds us that even in the realm of fine art, craft and materiality are always at play.