Flemish school; 17th century.

Flemish school; XVII century.
"Portrait of a gentleman".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Repainting.
Measurements: 75 x 58 cm; 90 x 71 cm (frame).
Outstanding male portrait, three quarters on neutral background, representing a middle-aged man and aristocratic bearing. Resolved in realistic language, the painter delves into the psychology of the character. His angular features underline the severity of his character. The neck defined by a large ruff and the flesh tones are modeled with a clear light that also extracts the volume of the character. He rests his hand on a clock where the representation of a saint can be seen.
The portrait was one of the most important genres in Flemish painting of the 17th century. In capturing the personality of this gentleman or aristocrat that we show, the teaching of masters such as Rembrandt or Frans Hals is ratified. The technical quality, the realism and the veracity of the face of the protagonist bring the work closer to the style of the Flemish school. A school in which the portrait, both individual and group, and even the character, tried to embody the relationships of the individual with society, thus popularizing its creation. This genre covers a third of the total production of the Flemish school.