A Benedictine Monk, Hugo van der Goes, circa 1478

Caption from the museum this man’s robe and tonsured hair indicate that he is a benedictine, but whether this is a portrait of a contemporary monk or an image of a saint is not clear. The panel was cut from a larger image, and unlike some of the donor portraits on display, this sitter gazes downward, creating a more contemplative mood. His attenuated head, the sensitive modeling of his features, and the meditative expression are characteristic of hugo van der goes’s late work. Object Type: painting. Genre: portrait. Date: circa 1478. Dimensions: height: 25.1 cm (9.8 in); width: 18.7 cm (7.3 in). Medium: oil on panel. Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hugo van der Goes - A Benedictine Monk