Possibly by Justus Sustermans, 'Portrait of a Man', probably 1649
About the work
Overview
The unknown sitter has been described as a Florentine nobleman, but his deep red gown with the wide, plain falling collar and wide lace cuffs suggest that he may have had a position in the government of Genoa, where Sustermans was working in 1649. His gaze is firm and serious, his moustache impressive and his features strong, though bearing the marks of late middle age. The full gown accentuates his imposing posture, while the papers in his right hand suggest an administrative post of some authority. He holds a pair of leather gloves in his other hand.
Justus Sustermans was a much travelled artist. As well as Genoa, he also worked in Vienna, Innsbruck, Rome and other Italian cities painting portraits and figures. In Florence he became court painter to the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- Portrait of a Man
- Artist
- Possibly by Justus Sustermans
- Artist dates
- 1597 - 1681
- Date made
- probably 1649
- Medium and support
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 120 × 93.5 cm
- Acquisition credit
- Bequeathed by W.W. Aston, 1917, with a life interest to his widow; acquired, 1919
- Inventory number
- NG3227
- Location
- Not on display
- Collection
- Main Collection
Provenance
Additional information
Text extracted from the ‘Provenance’ section of the catalogue entry in Gregory Martin, ‘National Gallery Catalogues: The Flemish School: circa 1600–circa 1900’, London 1986; for further information, see the full catalogue entry.
Bibliography
-
1986Martin, Gregory, National Gallery Catalogues: The Flemish School, circa 1600 - circa 1900, London 1986
-
2001
C. Baker and T. Henry, The National Gallery: Complete Illustrated Catalogue, London 2001
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.
Images
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