Bearded Man in a Fur Coat

This portrait of a bearded man in a fur coat, painted around 1535, shows the wealthy attire that indicated status among the French elite. Corneille de Lyon's portraits in the Kunsthistorisches Museum reflect the broad European distribution of his works through diplomatic channels and collecting. The fur-trimmed coat suggests a sitter of considerable wealth and standing. Characteristic of Lyon's approach, the work displays small-scale portraits on wood or parchment, blue-green or red grounds, intimate psychological likeness.

The rendering of the fur coat demonstrates Corneille's remarkable ability to suggest rich textures within his characteristically small format. The contrast between the rough fur and the smooth, precise facial modeling shows his versatile technique.