Portrait of an old man

This portrait of an old man, around 1475, at the Metropolitan Museum, demonstrates Memling's capacity for honest, sympathetic characterization. The aged sitter is portrayed without idealization, his wrinkles and weathered features recorded with the precision typical of Netherlandish portraiture Hans Memling brought serene, refined beauty to Flemish devotional painting, becoming the leading artist in Bruges after the death of van der Weyden Portraiture flourished during the Renaissance as humani

The deeply lined face is modeled with extraordinary sensitivity, each wrinkle and fold described with patient precision. The dark background and simple costume focus attention entirely on the characterful face.