Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 24 works by Karel van Mander the Elder in our catalogue
In short
To the gallery's eye, Karel van Mander the Elder's most famous painting is Portrait of a man (1592), whose original hangs in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. The annunciation (1595) and Rural Feast (Kermess) (1600) complete the trio every eye recognises. Of the 24 works by Karel van Mander the Elder in our catalog, the gallery presents the 23 most famous below, each original with its year, its museum and what makes it unique.
The man sits in a quiet, heavy stillness, his gaze meeting the viewer with a steady, unyielding authority. He is caught in a moment of dignified repose, his three-quarter length figure angled slightly as if he has just paused his thoughts to acknowledge a visitor. A sharp, directional light spills from the upper left, carving his features out of the surrounding gloom. This light catches the crisp, white folds of…
The composition is contained within a circular tondo, focusing the viewer's gaze on the intimate, dramatic intersection of the divine and the earthly. On the left, the Virgin Mary sits in a domestic interior, her figure draped in heavy red and dark robes. Her hands are raised in a sudden gesture of surprise or acceptance, positioned near a small desk. From the upper right, the Archangel Gabriel descends through a…
The oil painting depicts a crowded village square during a kermess, a rural festival. In the foreground, figures occupy the space with various activities: some sit on wooden benches, while others stand in small groups. The composition is dense, utilizing a wide-angle perspective that leads the eye from these immediate figures toward a midground of movement and a distant landscape of hills and cottages. The color palette relies on earthy…
The painting depicts a central confrontation within a dense gathering of figures. In the foreground, a man leans toward another, their faces in close proximity to signify a kiss. This central action occurs amidst a crowd of onlookers and soldiers. The scene is rendered in a monochrome grayscale palette, utilizing high contrast between deep blacks and bright highlights. This chiaroscuro effect defines the contours of the figures and the folds…
We are looking at The Flood, a significant religious work by Karel van Mander the Elder. This piece, which carries the titles Die Sintflut, De Zondvloed, or Floden, captures a moment of profound biblical catastrophe. It is an oil on panel that reflects the artist's engagement with the dramatic narratives of scripture. The work is currently held within the collection of the Frans Hals Museum.
The composition rests upon a stable, pyramidal structure, anchoring the figures within a quiet landscape. At the heart of this geometry, the Virgin Mary holds the Christ Child, her form draped in heavy, dark brocade that catches the light. Beside them, an angel plucks the strings of a lute, the instrument's wood glowing under a soft light that descends from the upper left. A small cherub lingers near the music,…
The air within the temple feels heavy, thick with the scent of ancient stone and the weight of sacred tradition. Massive Corinthian columns rise like giants toward a vaulted ceiling, framing a space that seems to stretch into an infinite, golden haze. In the center of this monumental architecture, a young boy stands, his presence radiating a quiet, undeniable authority that contrasts with his small stature. He is flanked by…
In this large-scale work titled The crossing of the River Jordan, we encounter a significant moment from biblical history. Painted by Karel van Mander the Elder about 1605, the scene captures the Israelites as they make their way across the river. It is a monumental depiction of a communal procession, where the movement of the crowd reflects a shared sense of destiny and the weight of divine providence.
The Dance around the Golden Calf by Karel van Mander the Elder depicts a specific biblical episode. This large-scale, panoramic historical work presents a scene characterized by idolatry, revelry, and unrestrained celebration. The subject matter focuses on the gathering of figures engaged in a festive and chaotic event. Karel van Mander the Elder places these figures within a lush, expansive landscape that extends toward a distant horizon.
The painting titled The Adoration of the Shepherds is a religious oil painting created by the artist Karel van Mander the Elder. This work is an oil on panel that dates to about 1596. The piece is currently held within the collection of the Národní galerie v Praze.
Diana and Actaeon1590 · Kunsthalle Bremen
12
Allegory of Nature1600 · Rijksmuseum
13
Oriane Endavours to Perform Feats of Magic in the Garden of Apolidon1595 · Hermitage Museum
14
Peasants Merrymaking1594 · Israel Museum
15
Emblematic Representation1600 · Städel Museum
16
The preaching and baptism by Paul (Acts 16:13-15)1597 · Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum
17
The Continence of Scipio1600 · Rijksmuseum
18
Garden of Love1602 · Hermitage Museum
19
The Massacre of the InnocentsHermitage Museum
20
Landscape with snow and the Crucifixion
21
The Adoration of the ShepherdsFrans Hals Museum
22
Chess players
23
Before the FloodStädel Museum
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Karel van Mander the Elder | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Frans Hals Museum |
Haren | 4 | The annunciation, The Flood, The Dance around the Golden Calf |
 Hermitage Museum |
Saint Petersburg | 4 | Rural Feast (Kermess), Oriane Endavours to Perform Feats of Magic in the Garden of Apolidon, Garden of Love |
 Kunsthistorisches Museum |
Vienna | 2 | Portrait of a man, Christ as a twelve year old in the temple |
 Rijksmuseum |
Amsterdam | 2 | Allegory of Nature, The Continence of Scipio |
 Städel Museum |
Frankfurt | 2 | Emblematic Representation, Before the Flood |
 Bavarian State Painting Collections |
Munich | 1 | The Judas Kiss |
 Museum Catharijneconvent |
Utrecht | 1 | The Holy Family with an angel playing the lute |
 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen |
Rotterdam | 1 | The crossing of the River Jordan |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
The painting depicts a central confrontation within a dense gathering of figures. In the foreground, a man leans toward another, their faces in close proximity to signify a kiss. This central action occurs amidst a crowd of onlookers and soldiers. The scene is rendered in a monochrome grayscale palette, utilizing high contrast between deep blacks and bright highlights. This chiaroscuro effect defines the contours of the figures and the folds…
We are looking at The Flood, a significant religious work by Karel van Mander the Elder. This piece, which carries the titles Die Sintflut, De Zondvloed, or Floden, captures a moment of profound biblical catastrophe. It is an oil on panel that reflects the artist's engagement with the dramatic narratives of scripture. The work is currently held within the collection of the Frans Hals Museum.
The man sits in a quiet, heavy stillness, his gaze meeting the viewer with a steady, unyielding authority. He is caught in a moment of dignified repose, his three-quarter length figure angled slightly as if he has just paused his thoughts to acknowledge a visitor. A sharp, directional light spills from the upper left, carving his features out of the surrounding gloom. This light catches the crisp, white folds of…
The oil painting depicts a crowded village square during a kermess, a rural festival. In the foreground, figures occupy the space with various activities: some sit on wooden benches, while others stand in small groups. The composition is dense, utilizing a wide-angle perspective that leads the eye from these immediate figures toward a midground of movement and a distant landscape of hills and cottages. The color palette relies on earthy…
Portrait of a man (1592), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. The annunciation (1595) and Rural Feast (Kermess) (1600) come next.
44 years old: Portrait of a man dates from 1592, and Karel van Mander the Elder was born in 1548.
Portrait of a man, The annunciation, Rural Feast (Kermess), The Judas Kiss, The Flood, The Holy Family with an angel playing the lute, Christ as a twelve year old in the temple, The crossing of the River Jordan, The Dance around the Golden Calf and The Adoration of the Shepherds. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 24 works by Karel van Mander the Elder, dated from 1577 to 1605.
Mostly in Frans Hals Museum (Haren), Hermitage Museum (Saint Petersburg) and Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1590s: 8 of the 23 works on this page were made then, Portrait of a man among them.
On this page, the earliest is The Judas Kiss (1577) and the latest The crossing of the River Jordan (1605).
Landscape (7), People (5) and Figures (5), across the 23 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 5 of the 23 works on this page.
Mannerism and Northern mannerism, judging by the originals on this page.
The annunciation, The Flood and The Dance around the Golden Calf: the Frans Hals Museum, Haren holds 4 of the works on this page.
