Portrait of Gillis van Breen
circa 1588
Hendrick Goltzius captures his subject with a mop of wild, spring-like curls that seem to explode from his head, contrasting hilariously with a stiff, fashionable ruff collar. This portrait is a fantastic example of Mannerism, a style that loved drama and exaggeration—just look at those deep, soulful eyes and the intense shading on the face. Goltzius was a virtuoso printmaker who developed a 'swelling line' technique to create incredible volume, and he was so talented at imitating other styles that he once tricked collectors into thinking his works were by Albrecht Dürer! You can even spot his initials 'HG f' in the top right corner, marking this as a genuine masterpiece.
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