The artwork titled “Portrait of Philippe de Croy” was created by artist Rogier van der Weyden in the year 1460. As an emblematic work of the Northern Renaissance, it measures 52.2 by 64.6 centimeters and is categorized as a portrait. Presently, it is part of the collection at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium.
In the artwork, Philippe de Croy is depicted in a three-quarter pose against a dark, seemingly neutral background. The sitter’s facial expression is solemn, and his eyes gaze off into the distance, a common characteristic of portraiture from this period. His hands are clasped in prayer, and he wears a dark, sumptuous gown with a fur collar, indicative of his status. The attention to detail, from the folds in the fabric to the texture of the fur, demonstrates the artist’s skill and the Northern Renaissance’s focus on realism. A small, ornate prayer bead hangs from his hands, adding to the devotional theme of the portrait. The figure is rendered with meticulous care, particularly in the physiognomy, capturing a sense of individual personality that is a hallmark of Rogier van der Weyden’s portrait work.
