Portrait of a Nobleman with Dueling Gauntlet
Artist/maker unknown, active Emilia?, Italian
Geography:
Made in Italy, Europe
Possibly made in Emilia, Italy, Europe
Date:
1562Medium:
Oil on canvasDimensions:
6 feet 5 inches × 42 3/4 inches (195.6 × 108.6 cm) Framed: 6 feet 11 3/4 inches × 48 3/4 inches × 3 inches (212.7 × 123.8 × 7.6 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Painting
Cat. 238Credit Line:
John G. Johnson Collection, 1917
Made in Italy, Europe
Possibly made in Emilia, Italy, Europe
Date:
1562Medium:
Oil on canvasDimensions:
6 feet 5 inches × 42 3/4 inches (195.6 × 108.6 cm) Framed: 6 feet 11 3/4 inches × 48 3/4 inches × 3 inches (212.7 × 123.8 × 7.6 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Painting
* Gallery 249, Arms and Armor, second floor (Kretzschmar von Kienbusch Galleries)
Accession Number:Cat. 238Credit Line:
John G. Johnson Collection, 1917
Social Tags [?]
codpiece [x] gauntlet [x] italian [x] maille [x] military leader [x] standing [x] sword [x]In sixteenth-century Europe it became fashionable among noblemen to be portrayed standing in armor and posing with martial objects such as maces, commander's batons, or helmets—a reference to their supposed or demonstrated aptitude as warriors and military leaders. The unidentified man in this portrait wears civilian clothes along with a mail shirt; one hand rests on a gauntlet specifically designed for grabbing the blades of swords in duels. The costly hilts of his rapier (sword) and matching dagger, which the artist has depicted here with great care, compete with his face for the viewer's attention.
Explore the Collections
* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit.