On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00813
- Author
- El Greco
- Title
- A Nobleman
- Chronology
- Ca. 1586
- Technique
- Oil
- Support
- Canvas
- Measures
- 67 cm x 55 cm x 2 cm
- School
- Spanish
- Theme
- Portrait
- On display
- Yes
- Procedence
- Royal Collection (Collection of Felipe V, Quinta of the Duke of Arco, El Prado-Madrid, “decimatercia pieza de verano”, 1745, [n. 409]; Quinta of the Duke of Arco, “pieza duodécima”, 1794, n. 364)
This portrait of an unidentified person dressed in black with a soft canvas ruff comes from the Duke of Arco's country house.
While the quality of this work is arguable, the subtle liveliness of the sitter is outstanding, given the economy of means used in making it: predominately a limited range of blacks and whites.
