Under UV lighting, an inscription is revealed on the back of the painting. In faded Latin it identifies the sitter as Gilles Joye.

Detail of folded hands

Detail of ring

Detail of coat of arms

Detail of right side of frame

Hans Memling

South Netherlandish, 1430/40–1494

The Canon Gilles Joye

1472

According to inscriptions on this painting’s frame, Gilles Joye, a priest and composer, was 47 years old when Memling painted his portrait. The artist favored realism over flattery, recording wrinkles around the sitter’s eyes and on his neck. Joye’s coat of arms can be seen on his ring and again on the frame. Despite the priest’s pious demeanor, church records suggest a more colorful personality—he was reprimanded for brawling, using offensive language, and living with a woman.

Medium	tempera with oil on panel in original painted frame
Dimensions	14 13/16 x 11 7/16 in. (37.6 x 29.1 cm) Frame: 21 7/8 x 18 1/2 x 2 1/16 in. (55.6 x 47 x 5.2 cm)
Object Number	1955.943
Acquisition	Acquired by Sterling and Francine Clark before 1955
Status	On View