Tronie

A Tronie or Tronje ( for larger needles, head ',' face 'or' countenance ') is a genre of figurative painting. This is similar to portrait head and character studies, factors that often anonymous individuals are presented with an interesting physiognomy or costuming, sometimes with literary or allegorical meaning.

In the 16th century, the painter exercised at Tronies they painted from live models to prepare the figures of large historical paintings. During the 17th century, these faces trials established as an independent art form. Many artists put on collections of character heads, as preliminary studies for paintings, especially for the history painting. The making of " tronies " is particularly widespread in the workshops of Dutch painters of the 17th century and evolved within Rembrandt into an independent art form. For Tronies that were at times very popular with art collectors, there was a lucrative market in the Netherlands.

Jacob Jordaens, Acts 1623 /25, 68.5 x 51.5 cm

Peter Paul Rubens, Head Study, circa 1630

Jan Vermeer, Young girl, around 1665 /67 44.5 × 40 cm