Please identify this painting.
December 11, 2004 11:57 PM Subscribe
I need help identifying a painting. It depicts a grey bearded man in a reddish fur trimmed cloak sitting by his writing table immersed in thought. He faces us, but is turned sideways from the table upon which he rests his right elbow. In his right hand, held up toward his beard, is a quill pen. In the other hand held low just above his left knee is a carpenter's square (L square). Anyone familiar with this painting? Thanks.
Response by poster: Yes it is on the dark side. I know zilch about art history, so take this with a huge grain of salt: I'm thinking it's from the 16th century or earlier. I now see upon closer inspection that the title is penciled in on the back of the framed print I have. It reads: "The Architect". Even with this bit of information however, I cannot find any image or mention of it on the web.
posted by crack at 3:15 AM on December 12, 2004
posted by crack at 3:15 AM on December 12, 2004
This is driving me crazy because I know the painting too. Still looking.
Check this out in the meantime. Not your painting, but close and very nice.
posted by CunningLinguist at 4:57 AM on December 12, 2004
Check this out in the meantime. Not your painting, but close and very nice.
posted by CunningLinguist at 4:57 AM on December 12, 2004
Sorry, I guess I was thinking of this painting of Archimedes. Funny, because many depictions of of Archimedes show an L square, but not this one.
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:11 AM on December 12, 2004
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:11 AM on December 12, 2004
I can't see the details enough to tell whether or not there is a quill pen in his hand, but is this it? I'm guessing it isn't because some of the details don't match up (both the beard and his left hand).
posted by fionab at 9:41 AM on December 12, 2004
posted by fionab at 9:41 AM on December 12, 2004
Response by poster: Thanks for the responses folks. Before I asked this question I searched for over two hours. I came across the Lorenzo Lotto and the Poet_Enraptured.JPG that fionab linked to. Cunning_linguist--yeah that Vermeer guy sure can paint a picture.
I don't own a scanner but can probably get access to one. Will need a few days. Damn, this is really driving me crazy!
The painting is dark and the only things depicted are the handsome grey bearded architect with his implements (who takes up over 60% of the painting) and part of the writing table he is leaning on (and some large white papers on it). His sparse grey hair is receding and tousled on top and curls outward in waves on the sides. His substantial red cloak is trimmed with brown and white fur. A long protruding blue vein on his left hand is just screaming for your attention. Again, I am clueless about art, but it has a Rembrandtish feel to it. I am growing fond of this guy. Architects and L-squares are cool.
posted by crack at 2:59 PM on December 12, 2004
I don't own a scanner but can probably get access to one. Will need a few days. Damn, this is really driving me crazy!
The painting is dark and the only things depicted are the handsome grey bearded architect with his implements (who takes up over 60% of the painting) and part of the writing table he is leaning on (and some large white papers on it). His sparse grey hair is receding and tousled on top and curls outward in waves on the sides. His substantial red cloak is trimmed with brown and white fur. A long protruding blue vein on his left hand is just screaming for your attention. Again, I am clueless about art, but it has a Rembrandtish feel to it. I am growing fond of this guy. Architects and L-squares are cool.
posted by crack at 2:59 PM on December 12, 2004
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by interrobang at 12:05 AM on December 12, 2004