# Portrait of a Man

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/portrait-of-a-man-r3f95b8e6f52843>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [HOLBEIN, Hans the Elder](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422>)
- Date: 1451-1500
- Technique: Oil on panel, 24 x 17 cm

## Commentary

The two panels in the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection, representing the portraits of a man and a woman, reveal the artist&#39;s interest in depicting the physical characteristics of his sitters, both of whom have rather pronounced features. Art historians have generally assumed the portraits to form a pair, possibly showing a husband and wife. However, it is odd that they are depicted in different formats and poses, with the woman in profile and the man in less than full profile, his body slightly turned. It would be more usual for them to be painted looking at each other in symmetrical poses.

## Related artworks

- [Ambrosius and Hans Holbein](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/ambrosius-and-hans-holbein-r1fcec677097bc6>)
- [Death of the Virgin \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/death-of-the-virgin-detail-r099e276a26bd6c>)
- [Death of the Virgin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/death-of-the-virgin-rf21741707bcda5>)
- [Kaisheim Altarpiece \(outer view of the wings\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/kaisheim-altarpiece-outer-view-of-the-wings-r5b471cf387a9cc>)
- [Portrait of a Woman](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/portrait-of-a-woman-rc5b8540221197e>)
- [Portrait of the Artist&#39;s Sons](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/portrait-of-the-artists-sons-r595daf47e8dc3e>)
- [St Barbara](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/st-barbara-re3ed7bb0ae86cb>)
- [The head of a crossbowman taking aim](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/the-head-of-a-crossbowman-taking-aim-r26c6797dd977a6>)
- [The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/the-martyrdom-of-saint-sebastian-r86c57f805aeed0>)
- [Virgin and Child](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/virgin-and-child-r25a92ed729e6e6>)
- [Virgin and Child with St Anne](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/virgin-and-child-with-st-anne-r4205ea517a7db4>)
- [Wings of the Kaisheim Altarpiece \(inner view\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/holbein-hans-the-elder-r5c184af1ad5422/wings-of-the-kaisheim-altarpiece-inner-view-r0a60e01fa54399>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)