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Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting
Sold by Brave Fine Art
sold SA1078226
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Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art

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Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting

17th century
Sold 18 March 2025 · Brave Fine Art
This “Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting” found a buyer.

It was listed by Brave Fine Art. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

This late 17th-century Flemish oil painting depicts an ordained member of the Catholic Church, probably a prelate, wearing a black cassock (or mozzetta) and black zucchetto.

Acquired in Denmark, the history of this remarkable piece has been lost over the centuries, but there are clues, particularly with regard to the outfit, that assist with the detective work.

Produced in around 1690, it can’t be of Danish origin as Lutheranism replaced Roman Catholicism in 1536, during the Reformation. Stylistically, it aligns with Flemish painters and for comparison, it’s interesting to consider this portrait of Gaspar Nemius, Bishop of Antwerp, by Erasmus II Quellinus (1607-1678), which is at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. Note the gentle expressions, each sitter conveying their kind and compassionate spirit.

https://vlaamsekunstcollectie.be/en/collection/281

Erasmus II Quellinus often collaborated with Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) and there are Rubenesque echoes in both his portrait of Nemius and, indeed, our own portrait of this prelate.

The outfits, too, are also rather similar, with both wearing a black mozzetta (a short cape with a hood), which is fastened via buttons in amaranth red. The piping and buttons of a mozzetta are usually determined according to rank: black for priests, purple for chaplains; amaranth red for bishops and prelates, and scarlet red for cardinals. The headwear is different, however, with the prelate wearing a black zucchetto, usually reserved for non-territorial abbots, priests and deacons.

Whoever this respectable character is, his portrait remains an enchanting survivor of the fascinating Baroque period.

Held in a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 28½” x 32½” / 72cm x 83cm

Year of creation: c. 1690

Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.

Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Areas of restoration. Frame restored.

Our reference: BRV1741

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Antique Oil Painting to the 17th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
83cm (32.68")
Width
72cm (28.35")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1078226
Description
This late 17th-century Flemish oil painting depicts an ordained member of the Catholic Church, probably a prelate, wearing a black cassock (or mozzetta) and black zucchetto.
“
Acquired in Denmark, the history of this remarkable piece has been lost over the centuries, but there are clues, particularly with regard to the outfit, that assist with the detective work.
Brave Fine Art
fig 1. An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 1. Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting

Produced in around 1690, it can’t be of Danish origin as Lutheranism replaced Roman Catholicism in 1536, during the Reformation. Stylistically, it aligns with Flemish painters and for comparison, it’s interesting to consider this portrait of Gaspar Nemius, Bishop of Antwerp, by Erasmus II Quellinus (1607-1678), which is at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. Note the gentle expressions, each sitter conveying their kind and compassionate spirit.

fig 2. An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 2. Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting

https://vlaamsekunstcollectie.be/en/collection/281

Erasmus II Quellinus often collaborated with Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) and there are Rubenesque echoes in both his portrait of Nemius and, indeed, our own portrait of this prelate.

fig 3. An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 3. Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting

The outfits, too, are also rather similar, with both wearing a black mozzetta (a short cape with a hood), which is fastened via buttons in amaranth red. The piping and buttons of a mozzetta are usually determined according to rank: black for priests, purple for chaplains; amaranth red for bishops and prelates, and scarlet red for cardinals. The headwear is different, however, with the prelate wearing a black zucchetto, usually reserved for non-territorial abbots, priests and deacons.

fig 4. An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 4. Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting

Whoever this respectable character is, his portrait remains an enchanting survivor of the fascinating Baroque period.

Held in a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 28½” x 32½” / 72cm x 83cm

Year of creation: c. 1690

fig 5. An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
fig 5. Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting

Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.

Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Areas of restoration. Frame restored.

Our reference: BRV1741

Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this Antique Oil Painting to the 17th Century.

Height
83cm (32.68")
Width
72cm (28.35")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1078226
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2018

Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brave Fine Art Profile Page

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An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Late 17th-century Flemish School, Portrait of a Prelate with Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting

Archive II An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View II
Archive III An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View III
Archive IV An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View IV
Archive V An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View V
Archive VI An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View VI
Archive VII An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View VII
Archive VIII An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View VIII
Archive IX An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame. View IX
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Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art
Telephone 01684 215986
Location
21 Enterprise Way
Arle Road
Cheltenham
Cotswolds
GL51 8LZ
United Kingdom

Under appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified Since Nov 2018
Items For Sale 76
Items Sold 1,853
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Verified Since Nov 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: 21 Enterprise Way, Arle Road, Cheltenham, Cotswolds, GL51 8LZ, United Kingdom, , Under appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified
Nov 2018
For Sale
76
Sold
1,853
An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
Late 17th-Century Flemish School, Portrait Of A Prelate With Black Cassock & Zucchetto - Antique Oil Painting
Ref: SA1078226
An oval antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century prelate in dark attire, enclosed within an ornate gilded wooden frame.
Detail View 1
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Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
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Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectOil Paintings
  • Period17th century
  • StyleBaroque
  • MaterialOil paint, canvas, wood, gilt gesso
  • ColourGold, Black, Dark Brown
  • MotifsOval canvas format, Ornate gilded acanthus frame, Chiaroscuro lighting, Clerical vestments
  • SizeH 83 cm (33 in) x W 72 cm (28 in) x D 5 cm (2 in)

FAQs

Seventeenth-century Flemish portraiture is characterised by meticulous attention to detail, dramatic use of light and shadow, and realistic depictions of subjects, often reflecting the influence of the Baroque movement.

These works typically utilise oil paints applied to stretched canvas or wooden panels, framed in hand-carved and gilded wooden mouldings using traditional gesso and gold leaf techniques.

Authentication involves examining the canvas weave, stretcher frame construction, pigment composition under magnification, craquelure patterns, and historical provenance or stylistic consistency with known period workshops.

Pairing historical portraiture with modern minimalist or transitional decor creates a striking focal point, often hung against dark, moody wall colours to accentuate the rich tones of the artwork.

Preservation requires maintaining stable temperature and humidity levels, keeping the artwork away from direct sunlight, and consulting a professional conservator for periodic cleaning and varnish maintenance.
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