Portrait of a Man with Carnation

  • Painting mediumOil On Panel
  • Art movementEarly Netherlandish painting
  • Creation date1435
  • Art periodRenaissance
  • Dimensions40.0 x 31.0 cm
  • MuseumStaatliche Museen

Jan van Eyck (1390 – 1441)

Jan van Eyck (c. 1390-1441): Pioneer of Early Netherlandish painting, celebrated for his mastery of oil paint & groundbreaking realism. Explore the Ghent Altarpiece & Arnolfini Portrait!

Staatliche Museen (Berlin, Germany)

Explore Berlin's history & art at the Staatliche Museen! Discover Nefertiti, ancient artifacts, masterpieces across 17 museums on Museum Island & beyond.

Introduction

The Portrait of a Man with Carnation is an oil painting on oak panel attributed to the Early Netherlandish master, Jan van Eyck or his workshop. The painting is housed in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, Germany.

Description and Analysis

The Portrait of a Man with Carnation depicts an older man, probably in his early 50s, wearing a large grey fur-lined hat and grey clothes, fur-lined at the neck. He holds a small bunch of carnations, symbols of marriage. The sitter is not identified but wears the medal of the Order of Saint Anthony, established by Albert I, Duke of Bavaria. The painting is an outstanding example of grisaille painting, where van Eyck deliberately rejects the use of primary colors, painting the figures in white on a black background to create the illusion of a sculptural group. The painting forms part of a series of small-format works probably intended for private devotion.

Dendrochronological Examination

Based on dendrochronological examination of the wood, it is thought to have been completed relatively late in van Eyck's career, perhaps around 1436. This information supports the theory that the painting was created during the latter part of his life.

Jan van Eyck

Jan van Eyck (c. 1390 – 1441) was a Flemish painter who is considered one of the founders of Early Netherlandish painting, which is also known as the Flemish Primitives. He is best known for his oil paintings, which are characterized by their realism and attention to detail.

Gemäldegalerie, Berlin

The Portrait of a Man with Carnation is housed in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, Germany. The museum has an extensive collection of European paintings from the 13th to the 18th centuries and is considered one of the world's leading museums for this period.

Conclusion

The Portrait of a Man with Carnation by Jan van Eyck is an outstanding example of grisaille painting, which showcases the artist's mastery of the oil painting technique. The painting's dendrochronological examination supports the theory that it was created during the latter part of van Eyck's life, making it a valuable addition to his body of work.

Bibliography

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About this artwork

  • Title: Portrait of a Man with Carnation
  • Artist: Jan van Eyck
  • Year: 1435
  • Original dimensions: 40.0 x 31.0 cm
  • Format: Portrait
  • Copyright status: Public domain
  • Where to see it: Staatliche Museen
  • Movement: Early Netherlandish painting
  • Corpus context: devotion, international gothic style realism
  • Purpose: Focal

Quick Facts

  • Medium: Oil on wood panel
  • Notable elements or techniques: Grisaille technique
  • Influences: International Gothic
  • Dimensions: 40 x 31 cm
  • Title: Portrait of a Man with Carnation
  • Subject or theme: Portrait of an unidentified man
  • Location: Gemäldegalerie, Berlin

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