Unknown Man
Gerard ter Borch the Younger (Zwolle 1617 - Deventer 1681)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1675
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
419 x 330 mm (16 1/2 x 13 in)
Place of origin
Holland
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246492
Caption
This picture dates to the latter part of ter Borch’s career when he was mainly engaged in portrait painting. The placement of the sitter’s right hand on his chest is indicative of sincerity, and typifies the spirit of modest individuality and sobriety which infused this painter’s likenesses in this period. In the Dutch Netherlands these qualities were increasingly associated with the older generation of artists and patrons in the later decades of the seventeenth century. However they remained highly valued amongst the bourgeoisie of the eastern provinces from where the majority of this artist’s commissions derived, giving a clue to the unidentified sitter’s origin.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Unknown Man by Gerard ter Borch the younger (Zwolle 1617 - Deventer 1681), circa 1675. A three-quarter length portrait, turned slightly to the left, gazing at the spectator, standing by a table on which lie his hat and watch; he wears a black gown with white lawn collar and cuffs, two tassels at his neck, and holds his right hand to his chest; curly brown hair to his shoulders. A thumb print is visible in the paint at the left.
Provenance
H.H. Goldschmidt, Frankfurt, 1879 (according to Klein sale catalogue); Klein (Frankfurter Kuntsverein) sale, 31 October 1911, lot 35; W.D. Clark sale, Sotheby's, 19 July 1922, lot 108, repd., bought Borenius from whom acquired by Mrs Greville, for £500; The bequest of Margaret (Anderson) McEwan, The Hon. Mrs Ronald - later Dame Margaret - Henry Fulke Greville, DBE (1863-1942) from probate records linked with the donation of the property to the National Trust in 1943. This item found on the record for Polesden Lacey pictures, drawings etc., stored in the cellar, page 159.
Credit line
Polesden Lacey, The McEwan Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
Gerard ter Borch the Younger (Zwolle 1617 - Deventer 1681), artist