Portrait of Jan de Leeuw
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| Portrait of Jan de Leeuw | |
|---|---|
_-_GG_946_-_Kunsthistorisches_Museum.jpg) | |
| Artist | Jan van Eyck  |
| Year | 1436 |
| Movement | Early Netherlandish painting |
| Dimensions | 24.5 cm (9.6 in) × 19 cm (7.5 in) |
| Location | Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna |
Portrait of Jan de Leeuw is a small 1436 oil on wood painting by the Early Netherlandish master Jan van Eyck, now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. De Leeuw was a goldsmith living in Bruges; most art historians accept that, given the familiarity of the portrait, that he and van Eyck knew each other and were on good terms. The work is still in its original frame, which is painted over to look like bronze.[1]
Like the London self-portrait, the painting is dominated by black and dark brown hues, with red overtones. De Leeuw is presented as a serious young man with a rather intense gaze.[1] He is wearing a black chaperon and black fur lined jacket.[2] He turns to look at the viewer while holding a gold ring band with a red jewel, a symbol of his profession,[3] although some have suggested that it might indicate a recent marriage engagement, or even, given his direct gaze, that the painted is meant for his intended.[2]
Formally and tonally, it closely resembles van Eyck's supposed self-portrait in the National Gallery, London.[4] In both works, the head is oversized in relation to the torso. The Vienna panel is still in its original frame,[5] which closely resembles that of the London panel, the central panel of the Dresden Triptych, and a number of works by his workshop; likely they were all put together by the same craftsman.[6] The frame is painted over to look like bronze.[1]
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