The artwork, titled “Portrait of Gilles Joye,” was created by the artist Hans Memling in the year 1472. Rendered in oil on oak, this Northern Renaissance portrait measures 30.5 by 22.5 centimeters. The artwork is classified within the genre of portraiture and is housed at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA.
The artwork portrays the subject, Gilles Joye, in a solemn, contemplative pose with hands clasped in prayer. The sitter’s expression is pensive, with downcast eyes and slightly pursed lips. His attire is modest, likely indicative of his status and period, emphasizing the thoughtful and serene disposition captured by Memling. The background is plain and dark, focusing attention entirely on the facial features and hands of the subject. The edges of the frame bear inscriptions noting the year and the age of the subject, contributing to the historical context of the artwork. Notably, the craftsmanship of the oils and the precision in the depiction of textures and skin tones are exemplary of the Northern Renaissance’s attention to realistic detail and individualized human expression.
