Portrait of a Man with a Pink
1475
Hans Memling captures a mysterious gentleman from the Early Netherlandish Renaissance, complete with a trendy bowl cut and a dark, fur-trimmed outfit. He clutches a tiny folded letter and a bright red carnation—often called a 'pink'—which was a popular symbol of betrothal or enduring love in the 15th century. Was he sending a secret love note, or just showing off his fashionable new flower? The intense, realistic gaze and the dark, moody background are classic hallmarks of Memling's masterful portraiture, making you wonder who this serious-looking suitor really was.
Location: National Gallery, London
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