The artwork titled “Portrait of Antoine, bastard of Burgundy” was created by Rogier van der Weyden in 1460. Rendered in oil on panel, this portrait exemplifies the Northern Renaissance art movement and measures 39 x 28 cm. The artwork is currently housed at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, Belgium.
The portrait depicts a young man, Antoine, adorned in black garments and wearing a red, slightly oversized headpiece. A gold chain, elaborately detailed, rests upon his shoulders and chest, symbolizing his noble status. Antoine’s facial expression is solemn and contemplative, his gaze directed slightly to the side. The meticulous attention to detail in his clothing, the texture of his skin, and the lifelike rendering of his facial features highlight Van der Weyden’s masterful technique. In Antoine’s hand, he holds an arrow, adding a sense of symmetry and serving as a possible symbolic element. The background is dark, allowing Antoine’s figure to stand out prominently, drawing the viewer’s focus entirely onto his visage and attire.
