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Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting
Sold by Brave Fine Art
sold SA1165962
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Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art

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Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting

17th century
Sold 18 March 2026 · Brave Fine Art
This “Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, 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 heavily-inscribed early 17th-century half-length portrait depicts an officer wearing a silk doublet with a gorget, presented in a feigned oval. He’s standing alongside an anchor and ceremonial langdebeve, in reference to his motto ‘Per Mare Per Terras’ (by sea, by land).

It’s plausible that this portrait was produced posthumously and relates to a significant military leader, as one of the inscriptions translates as ‘Rise Again In Hope’. It’s dated 1638 and refers to the sitter as aged 75, giving us a birth year of circa 1563. These dates are compelling as Sweden became embroiled in the ‘Thirty Years’ War’ in 1630 when troops under King Gustavus Adolphus landed in Pomerania. Hence, it’s conceivable that our officer was involved from a strategic point of view.

It’s interesting to compare the gentleman’s appearance with Jacob Hoefnagel’s rendering of King Gustavus Adolphus from 1624.

Initially, our research led us to Scotland, due to the prominence of the motto ‘Per Mare Per Terras’, which is associated with the Scottish Clan Donald. It’s tempting to consider that this could be one of the oldest known Clan Donald portraits in existence; however, given that the painting was acquired in Sweden, and also the sitter’s resemblance to the King, it seems more plausible that he’s Swedish.

The portrait was previously attributed to an artist working in the circle of Dutch artist Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt (1566-1641) and it’s probably by a Dutch hand. A most fascinating discovery, with more questions than answers.

Held in a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 33½” x 38½” / 85cm x 98cm

Year of creation: c. 1638

Labels & Inscriptions: Numerous inscriptions, some of which have been lost over time. Legible inscriptions appear to read ‘Per mare per terras’, and something akin to ‘Iam deji_or Spe egregore’.

Provenance: Private collection, Sweden.

Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Historic areas of restoration. Later stretcher. Frame in good condition with minor age-related wear.

Our reference: BRV2125

Date of Manufacture

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

Physical Dimensions
Height
98cm (38.58")
Width
85cm (33.46")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1165962
Dealers Internal Reference
BRV2125
Description
This heavily-inscribed early 17th-century half-length portrait depicts an officer wearing a silk doublet with a gorget, presented in a feigned oval.
“
He’s standing alongside an anchor and ceremonial langdebeve, in reference to his motto ‘Per Mare Per Terras’ (by sea, by land).
Brave Fine Art
fig 1. An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon.
fig 1. Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting

It’s plausible that this portrait was produced posthumously and relates to a significant military leader, as one of the inscriptions translates as ‘Rise Again In Hope’. It’s dated 1638 and refers to the sitter as aged 75, giving us a birth year of circa 1563. These dates are compelling as Sweden became embroiled in the ‘Thirty Years’ War’ in 1630 when troops under King Gustavus Adolphus landed in Pomerania. Hence, it’s conceivable that our officer was involved from a strategic point of view.

fig 2. An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon.
fig 2. Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting

It’s interesting to compare the gentleman’s appearance with Jacob Hoefnagel’s rendering of King Gustavus Adolphus from 1624.

Initially, our research led us to Scotland, due to the prominence of the motto ‘Per Mare Per Terras’, which is associated with the Scottish Clan Donald. It’s tempting to consider that this could be one of the oldest known Clan Donald portraits in existence; however, given that the painting was acquired in Sweden, and also the sitter’s resemblance to the King, it seems more plausible that he’s Swedish.

fig 3. An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon.
fig 3. Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting

The portrait was previously attributed to an artist working in the circle of Dutch artist Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt (1566-1641) and it’s probably by a Dutch hand. A most fascinating discovery, with more questions than answers.

fig 4. An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon.
fig 4. Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting

Held in a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 33½” x 38½” / 85cm x 98cm

Year of creation: c. 1638

Labels & Inscriptions: Numerous inscriptions, some of which have been lost over time. Legible inscriptions appear to read ‘Per mare per terras’, and something akin to ‘Iam deji_or Spe egregore’.

fig 5. An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon.
fig 5. Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting

Provenance: Private collection, Sweden.

Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Canvas relined. Craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Historic areas of restoration. Later stretcher. Frame in good condition with minor age-related wear.

Our reference: BRV2125

Date of Manufacture

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

Height
98cm (38.58")
Width
85cm (33.46")
Depth
3cm (1.18")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1165962
Dealers Internal Ref
BRV2125
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 antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Early 17th-century Dutch School, Portrait of a Swedish Officer with an Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting

Archive II An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. View II
Archive III An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. View III
Archive IV An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. View IV
Archive V An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. View V
Archive VI An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. View VI
Archive VII An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. View VII
Archive VIII An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon. View VIII
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Enlarged Archival View
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 antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon.
Early 17th-Century Dutch School, Portrait Of A Swedish Officer With An Anchor & Ceremonial Langdebeve, Antique Oil Painting
Ref: SA1165962
An antique oil painting depicting a 17th-century male figure in historical attire holding an anchor next to a ceremonial weapon.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPaintings
  • Period17th century
  • StyleBaroque
  • Material[Oil paint, Linen canvas, Wood]
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsPortraiture, Historical iconography, Oval trompe-lil border
  • SizeH 98 cm (39 in) x W 85 cm (33 in) x D 3 cm (1 in)

FAQs

The 17th-century Dutch School is characterised by remarkable realism, meticulous attention to detail, and a focus on portraiture, landscapes, and genre scenes during the Dutch Golden Age.

These works were typically painted using hand-ground oil pigments applied to a tightly woven linen canvas, often stretched over a wooden frame and housed in a carved wooden frame.

Authenticity is determined through physical examination of the canvas weave, pigment composition via scientific testing, craquelure patterns, and provenance documentation confirmed by art historians.

An antique portrait creates a striking focal point when paired with clean lines and neutral contemporary walls, offering a deliberate contrast between historical depth and modern minimalism.

Preservation requires maintaining stable room temperatures and moderate humidity levels, keeping the canvas away from direct sunlight, and consulting a professional conservator for cleaning.
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