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The ''Portrait of an African Man'' ((オランダ語:Portret van een Afrikaanse man)) also known as ''Portrait of a Moor'' is a painting by Netherlandish Renaissance painter Jan Mostaert. Mostaert made the painting between circa 1520 and 1530. The exact subject of the painting has long been unclear, although numerous ideas have been put forward, including that the depicted figure is a soldier, a nobleman or Saint Maurice. The portrait is significant in that it portrays the only black man in early modern European painting in an independent way. ==Title and subject== The portrait features the only known black man in early European painting.〔 Who is depicted on the painting has been unclear for a long time. There has however been speculation on whom the figure represents. The owner of the painting, the Rijksmuseum, has stated that it might be Christophle le More (Christopher the Moor), a black archer at the court of Habsburg emperor Charles V.〔 This claim would be supported by the badge of the Virgin on his cap, which would be a souvenir from a pilgrimage to Halle.〔 He has also been said to be a member of the entourage of Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy at her court in Mechelen. The posture, clothing and other details would indicate service at a European court and adaptation to their norms. English historian Kate Lowe therefore argues he is a nobleman in the service of or a visitor to the court at Mechelen. In 2013, Wim Pijbes, in the Dutch discussion on Zwarte Piet and its origins, referred to the ''Portrait of an African Man'', saying that the figure of Zwarte Piet is traceable to at least the 16th century, with the proud black figure depicted wearing a velvet jacket and a beret, attributes nowadays associated with the figure of Zwarte Piet. In November 2014 a different explanation was offered by literary and medieval scholar Marie-José Govers. She claimed the figure to be a Roman soldier from Thebes, Saint Maurice. Govers was to publish her research in 2015 but did so earlier to create clarity on the figure after the remarks of Pijbes. She said that the figure depicted was an important man, not a servant. She bases this on the goatleather gloves, the belt which is covered with gemstones and the sword. She also adds that the sword is one especially of Saint Maurice and that the pilgrim badge of Mary on his red beret makes him a Catholic man. Govers adds that the time when the painting was made is also important. Govers claims this to be between 1520 and 1525. During that period Martin Luther was seen as a threat to Catholic ruler Charles V. Luther was excommunicated by the Pope in 1520. Struggles between Catholics and Protestants were often violent. The depiction of Saint Maurice, a Christian who refused to fight against other Christians, would be related to this.〔 Art historian and curator Esther Schreuder disagrees with Govers's findings, stating that the evidence presented by Govers is too meager. Schreuder claims the sword is a typical symbol for a soldier and that Saint Maurice is most often depicted with a holy spear. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Portrait of an African Man」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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