THE SITTER

A “Flemish portrait of a young French gentleman” likely from the late 17th century, depicting a young man of French origin, but painted by a Flemish artist or within the Flemish style. The portrait showcase the sitter’s wealth and status through detailed clothing, jewelry, and accessories.

The gentleman dressed in the fashionable attire of the time, which includes a justaucorps (a long, fitted coat), a black cloak, a white shirt and a vest.

The painting exhibits characteristics of Flemish portraiture, such as a focus on naturalism, attention to detail, and a sense of formality.

The sitter’s clothing, accessories, and even his pose could be indicative of his wealth and social standing.

THE ARTIST

Born in London in 1616 of Dutch parents, Isaack Luttichuys spent his early life in England, where the family was known as Littlehouse, the literal English translation of the family name. He and his older brother, Simon, eventually moved to Amsterdam, where Isaack pursued a career as a portrait painter and Simon as a painter of still lives. Isaack’s sensitivity to the individuality of his sitters and to details such as the subtle cues of movement that enliven an image speak to his prodigious skills as a portrait painter, which kept him popular among the Amsterdam elite until his death in 1673.