Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
..almost certainly to conform to a decorative scheme, perhaps it was placed over a doorway or fireplace.
De Keyser and his Circle's portraits are full of character and masterly in handling, and often distinguished by a rich golden glow of colour and Rembrandtesque chiaroscuro, as this one.
THOMAS DE KEYSER (c.1596-1667) born and died in Amsterdam. He excelled as a portrait painter, and was the most in-demand portrait painter in the Netherlands until the 1630s, when Rembrandt eclipsed him in popularity. Rembrandt was influenced by his work, and many of de Keyser's paintings were later falsely attributed to Rembrandt.
Some of his portraits are life-size, but the artist generally preferred to keep them on a considerably smaller scale, like the famous Four Amsterdam burgomasters assembled to receive Marie de Medici in 1638, now on display at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague.
In addition to portraits, he also executed some historical and mythological pictures, such as the Theseus and Ariadne in the Amsterdam town hall, now the Royal Palace. De Keyser also worked as an architect. From 1662 until his death in 1667 he oversaw construction of the new Amsterdam town hall, now Royal Palace.
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has the largest collection of paintings by de Keyser. His work can also be seen at the Louvre in Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg and the National Gallery in London, among others.
SIZE: 19 x 29 inches inc. frame.
PROVENANCE: Private Collection, North Yorkshire.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Portrait of a Gentleman C.1630; Circle of Thomas De Keyser.
