Man with Red Beard

A man distinguished by his red beard sits for this portrait from around 1538 at the Barnes Foundation. The red beard, an unusual feature noted in the painting's title, demonstrates how Corneille's sitters were often identified by physical characteristics when their names were lost. The Barnes Foundation's eclectic collection, assembled by Albert Barnes according to his own aesthetic principles, provides an unusual context for this delicate French Renaissance portrait.

Corneille renders the distinctive red beard with fine, layered brushwork that captures the hair's color and texture against the skin of the face. His characteristic plain background provides maximum contrast with the warm tones of the beard. The small format demands precise handling, with each detail of the face contributing to the overall characterization.