Portrait of a Gentleman Dated 1651; Attributed to Martinus Lengele (C.1604-1668)

In this portrait, dated 1651, a gentleman has been presented wearing black garments with a small square collar with lace edge and two tassels. The jacket contains a row of closely spaced small buttons and is left open to reveal a white chemise. As usual in Dutch dress of this period, the overall impression is one of understated luxury. Coloring is restricted mainly to the pinkish tones of the face, which is enlivened by the sitter's loose brown curls, a few streaks of shadow, and the coat of arms. The high-quality materials and the colour black were very costly and reserved for the most formal occasions (including having one's portrait painted). Black dye was expensive and faded quickly. Even Puritans and Calvinists did not wear black every day contrary to popular belief. Black may have been common but it was far from boring and was often intricately detailed and had various sumptuous fabrics often contrasting against each other and with all manner of designs and patterns.

The sitter is a member of the Domis family from Breda and from the inscription we know that the sitter was 25 years old when the portrait was painted, in 1651. The pendant, portrait of a lady, was held in the Pretoriase Kunsmuseum, South-Africa - its present location is unknown.

The Dutch Golden Age of painting was a period in Dutch history, roughly spanning the 17th century, in which Dutch trade, science, military, and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. Dutch portraiture in this period thrived. By some accounts there were in excess of 1 million portraits painted during the century. The wealthy mercantile burghers and emerging new gentry were always keen to commission portraits to show their status. Dutch explorers charted new territory and settled abroad. Trade by the Dutch East-India Company thrived, and war heroes from the naval battles were decorated and became national heroes. During this time, The Dutch Old Masters began to prevail in the art world, creating a depth of realistic portraits of people and life in the area that has hardly been surpassed. The Golden Age painters depicted the scenes that their discerning new middle-class patrons wanted to see. This new wealth from merchant activities and exploration combined with a lack of church patronage, shifted art subjects away from biblical genres. Still life’s of items of everyday objects, landscapes, and seascapes reflecting the naval and trade power that the Republic enjoyed were popular.

Martinus Lengele (1604-1668) was born in The Hague and died in Paris. He painted during the Dutch Golden Age and was known for his portraits. He became a member of the Confrerie Pictura in The Hague, which was a group for artists, from 1656 to 1665. His sister married the painter Jacob van Loo, and who like him, worked in Paris in the 1660s.

Oil on panel in 18th century gilded frame.

Provenance:

Reverend J Hammond Fisk (1792-1886), to his daughter;

Miss M. E. Fisk, to her cousin;

George Clayton Eaton, to his son;

Frederic Ray Eaton, to his son

T.C. Eaton

Measurements:

Height 113cm, Width 84cm framed (Height 44.5”, Width 33” framed)

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