The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 26, 2024

Portrait of a Young Man with a Skull

Portrait of a Young Man with a Skull

c. 1519
(Dutch, 1494–1533)
Netherlands, 16th century
engraving
Sheet: 18.6 x 14.6 cm (7 5/16 x 5 3/4 in.)
The Mary Spedding Milliken Memorial Collection, Gift of William Mathewson Milliken 1941.297
Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein 174
Location: not on view

Description

Dressed in exceptionally fine attire––fancy plumes, brocade collar, and slashed sleeves––this young man solemnly points at a skull he is carrying in his cloak. The juxtaposition of the skull and the lavish clothing is a message that frivolous pleasures are misguided and the bravado of youth is ephemeral.
  • The Silver Jubilee Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 23-September 28, 1941).
  • {{cite web|title=Portrait of a Young Man with a Skull|url=false|author=Lucas van Leyden|year=c. 1519|access-date=26 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1941.297