A Man aged 38
- Artist: Lucas van Leyden
- Date: about 1521
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "A Man aged 38" painted in the Netherlandish style by Lucas van Leyden. The sitter's clothing suggests he was a man of means, but there's no display of wealth or status. His fine white shirt and decorated collar are subtle indicators of his social standing.
The man's costume and style date back to around 1520. You might notice the resemblance to other portrait drawings by van Leyden, which share similar characteristics. In fact, this painting is thought to have been created shortly before his death in 1519-20.
Take a closer look at the sitter's face. His intent gaze, firm jaw, and determined mouth give an impression of a formidable character - typical of van Leyden's style. The simplicity of the composition and his dress perhaps tells us more about who he was not than who he was.
The way light falls on his face and hands contrasts strongly with his dark clothing, creating deep shadows that add to the overall intensity of the piece. Notice how the green background interacts with his shadow - it's almost as if he's just behind it.
See it in person
A Man aged 38 hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
