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Flemish, 'Portrait of a Man', 1626

About the work

The composition derives from a print of 1624 by Paulus Pontius, made after a portrait of the same date by Rubens of Prince Vladislav Sigismond, later King of Poland. We can tell that the artist has used the print as a source because some of the details – as on the hilt of the sword – are slightly different from the painting by Rubens.

The artist copied the posture of the body and many details of the clothing from the print, but placed a different head on the sitter’s shoulders. The sitter here is unknown. The coat of arms is of the Waha family of the Southern Netherlands but it and the inscription are later additions and not necessarily connected with the portrait.

The painting was attributed first to Rubens and then to Jacob Jordaens. Now it is thought to be by an unknown Flemish contemporary who was influenced by Rubens.

Key facts

Full title
Portrait of a Man
Artist
Flemish
Date made
1626
Medium and support
oil on canvas
Dimensions
116.2 × 85.8 cm
Inscription summary
Dated and inscribed
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1902
Inventory number
NG1895
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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