Skip to main content

Michiel Coxcie, 'A Man with a Skull', about 1560 or later

Key facts
Full title A Man with a Skull
Artist Michiel Coxcie
Artist dates born between 1498 and 1500; died 1592
Date made about 1560 or later
Medium and support oil on wood
Dimensions 97 × 75.4 cm
Acquisition credit Bought, 1845
Inventory number NG195
Location Not on display
Collection Main Collection
Previous owners
A Man with a Skull
Michiel Coxcie
/

This seemingly straightforward portrait was one of the National Gallery’s most controversial purchases of the nineteenth century. Bought in 1845 as ‘the Gallery’s first Holbein’, its authenticity was quickly cast into doubt. Recent dendrochronological analysis of the panel – a method of determining the age of a piece of wood by analysing its pattern of rings – shows that it was made after Holbein’s death.

We're not sure who the sitter was, but the coat of arms in the upper corner suggests he came from Brussels or Leuven or the surrounding area and is probably a member of the Heverlee family. Michiel Coxcie was the most important portrait painter working in Brussels when this was made, and stylistic comparison with his other paintings confirms him as the artist.

Download image
Download low-resolution image

Download a low-resolution copy of this image for personal use.

License this image

License and download a high-resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.

License image
Download low-resolution image

This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.

Examples of non-commercial use are:

  • Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
  • Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media

The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.

As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.

Download low-resolution image

You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.

Creative Commons Logo