Portrait of a Young Man in a Fur Hat - Christopher Paudiss

Painting Detail

Portrait of a Young Man in a Fur Hat
Artist: Christopher Paudiss
Medium: Painting, Oil on panel, 73.5x53 cm
Date: Mid-17th century
Genre: Portrait
Source: Provenance - 18th century

Paudiss was a talented artist, as we can see in this freely and broadly painted portrait. He was able to catch not only the pale face but also the light, transparent eyes, which gaze calmly and seriously at the viewer. Yet, in the contrast between the softly lit face and the brown tones of the clothing and background, in the generalised treatment of the clothes, we can perhaps see too much of the influence of Rembrandt, under whom Paudiss studied. Even such details as the Hungarian fur hat is perceived as one of those whimsical costume elements which were often to be found at one time in Rembrandt's portraits. Paudiss was much more independent in his genre scenes and still lifes.

The portrait was probably created in Hungary or immediately after the artist's move to Dresden in 1659.