Derick Berck of Cologne

Derick Berck of Cologne, painted by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1536, is an exceptional example of Northern Renaissance portraiture. This compelling oil on canvas work originated on a wooden panel before being expertly transferred to its current support, a technical procedure often undertaken to preserve important but fragile panel paintings. Holbein, renowned for his exacting realism and technical mastery, created this portrait during a crucial period of his career, when he was solidifying his reputation as the premier portraitist in England and Northern Europe. The meticulous attention to detail in the man’s clothing and facial expression is characteristic of the Younger’s mature style.

The subject, identified as Derick Berck, was a merchant from Cologne, reflecting the growing importance of trade figures as influential patrons in 16th-century society. Holbein avoids the decorative flourishes common in earlier eras, employing a neutral, dark background that forces the viewer’s focus entirely onto the individual. This intense psychological presence, achieved through precise draftsmanship and subtle modeling of the face, defines the quality of the Younger's finest portraits.

Dating to the approximate year of the artist's appointment as King’s Painter, the 1536 canvas demonstrates the peak of Holbein’s output. Today, the painting resides in the celebrated collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its historical and artistic significance, reproductions and high-quality prints of Derick Berck of Cologne are frequently accessed by scholars and the public through resources such as the public domain, ensuring its continued study and appreciation globally.