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A Man Wearing a Turban and Armour
Mander III, Karel van (Dutch, 1607–1670)
1643-1647
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Classification
- Painting
- Dimensions
- height 137 cm, width 108 cm
- Culture
- Dutch
- Museum
- SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
- Rights
- Public Domain Mark: SMK waives its rights in this photograph, as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed
View at the SMK – National Gallery of Denmark
About this work
With his hand at his side and an attitude that accentuates the impression of arrogant superiority, this African gentleman is portrayed face on. He looks past us with his head held at a slight angle, accentuating the large pearl earrings and their vertical heft. Studded with gems and feathers, the white turban lights up the darkness, catching our eye. He wears armour and golden insignia reaffirming his status. An exotic dagger is held in place by a silk sash, while a rapier can be glimpsed at his side. The painting is an example of Karel van Mander III’s Rembrandt-like studies of distinctive characters, a so-called tronie. The model, the turban and other exotic props also appear in other paintings by van Mander, including a series of paintings of motifs from the romantic novel Aithiopika by the ancient Greek writer Heliodorus.
