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Description: | The technical expertise of this painting means it has been associated with one of the most famous portrait-painters in the history of Dutch art, Frans van Mieris. Born in Leiden, Frans van Mieris artist was first a pupil of Abraham van Toorenvliet, a glass-painter, and then for some years of Gerard Dou, the founder of the fijnschilderij (fine-painting) style, afterwards of Abraham van den Tempel and, finally, once more of Dou. He was the most important of Dou's students and one of the principal members of the Leiden school of fine painters. He gained patronage from various Dutch nobles, including Archduke Leopold Wilhelm. Most of his works were small genre scenes and portraits; there are also some religious, classical and literary subjects. Many of the later Leiden fine painters seemed to follow him, rather than Dou. His reputation was assured in another way by the seventeenth-century Dutch biographer Arnold Houbraken; impressed by the aristocratic patronage the artist enjoyed, and the high prices he received for his works, Houbraken heaped praised upon the painter. The artist had a studio in which younger artists learnt his techniques, and the Fairfax House painting may have come from one of these emulators. The painting shows the characterisation and attention to detail that allowed Frans van Mieris to achieve such fame. The sitter is dressed in black velvet, with rich lace at neck, cuffs and shirtfront. Unfortunately it is not known today who is depicted by the artist. The conspicuous presence of classical architecture and the gentleman's gesture and pose, suggest he is meant to be admired as a cultured as well as landed individual. In the background, the sun rises, or sets, over an estate that the viewer is invited to believe belongs to the gentleman portrayed. | Subjects: | portrait | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Mieris, Frans van (Dutch painter and draftsman, 1635-1681) Æ Attributed to school of | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8722... | Go to resource |
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