Holbien2h7 Hans The Younger Holbein

The portrait presents a man in what appears to be late medieval or early Renaissance attire. He is positioned against a deep blue background, which serves to isolate and emphasize his figure. The artist has rendered him in a three-quarter view, allowing for a detailed depiction of his facial features and the elaborate clothing he wears.
The man’s expression is one of quiet composure; his gaze directed slightly off-center, suggesting an inward focus or perhaps a studied dignity. His skin tone exhibits a meticulous attention to detail, with subtle gradations that convey volume and texture. The hair, parted neatly on the left side, frames his face and falls in soft waves around his shoulders.
He is clad in a dark, voluminous cloak lined with fur, indicative of status and wealth. A red sleeve peeks out from beneath the cloak, providing a vibrant contrast to the darker tones of the garment. On his gloved hand rests a falcon, its plumage meticulously rendered with an impressive level of realism. The bird’s presence is significant; falcons were symbols of nobility and prowess in hunting, frequently appearing in portraits of men of standing. A jeweled ring adorns the mans finger, further reinforcing this impression of affluence.
Above the figure, inscribed in Latin script, are two lines of text: ROBERTVS CHESEMAN ANNO . D . M. and . ETATIS . SVAE . > M .D .XXXII. These inscriptions provide information about the subject’s name and age (32 years old), anchoring the portrait within a specific historical context.
The overall effect is one of restrained elegance and carefully constructed identity. The artist has not only captured a likeness but also conveyed a sense of the sitters social position, character, and perhaps even his aspirations. The composition suggests a deliberate attempt to project an image of authority and refinement, utilizing both symbolic elements (the falcon) and meticulous rendering of detail to achieve this effect.