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Flemish, 'Portrait of a Man', 1626

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
Portrait of a Man
Flemish

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.

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