Items Similar to Portrait of a Young Dutch Gentleman by Nicolaes Maes, Oil on Panel, Old Master
- Want more images or videos?Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Nicolaes MaesPortrait of a Young Dutch Gentleman by Nicolaes Maes, Oil on Panel, Old Master
On Hold
US$79,763.52
About
NICOLAES MAES (1634-1693)
PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG DUTCH GENTLEMAN
INTRODUCTION:
In late 17th century Amsterdam, no one could rival Nicolas Maes (1634– 1693) in the art of portraiture. As one of Rembrandts most accomplished pupils, Maes explored both genre painting and religious motifs before developing his characteristic style of impressive yet sensitive portraits that today can be seen in museums across the world. This portrait of a currently unknown Dutch gentleman is a brilliant example of how Maes refined his ability to capture both the people and fashions of Amsterdam during the last days of the Dutch golden age.
Apart from being born in the town of Dordrecht as the son of a wealthy soap manufacturer, little is known about Maes background and early career. It seems he received his first training by a local master in Dordrecht, but sometime in the late 1640s he relocated to Amsterdam and the studio of Rembrandt. Much like other students of Rembrandt, Maes earlier works rely heavily on the style of his teacher since Rembrandt typically did not encourage his students to cultivate their own style. Especially the drawings of Maes are at times indistinguishable from those of his master. In 1653 however, Maes returned to Dordrecht to marry and later spent time in Antwerp where he studied works by Rubens and Van Dyck, who also became important inspirations. By the 1660s, Maes had largely abandoned the legacy from Rembrandt and painted in more a contemporary style. The radical shift in his artistic expression show Maes determination to develop himself as an artist, and eventually portraits became the main focus for his art.
After yet again settling in Amsterdam in 1673, Maes would stay here until his death twenty years later. Here, he enjoyed an illustrious career as a portrait painter and esteemed member of the artistic community. In his portraits from this time we find a combination of the influences from Van Dyck and other artists transformed into Maes own unmistakable style. Maes portraits have a high degree of realistic likeness and shows off luxurious robes, furs, jewelry, hairstyles and status symbols. In the background, beautiful gardens or landscape settings were added to heighten the elegance.
This portrait is an excellent summary of Maes unusual talent in portraiture: the subtly painted face hit by a strong light that accentuates the features with soft shadows; the almost invisible play of color that creates the fresh complexion of the skin; the bulging swirls of the hair and the very exclusive garment called “Japonse Rok” in contemporary Dutch – today known as a Banyan, inspired by Japanese kimonos made with silks imported by the Dutch East Indian Company. It is a portrait that tells us of a wealthy and sophisticated young gentleman, well aware of the social and cultural codes that were expected in this time. While the robe with its richly patterned silk is an example of the fascination for the oriental the hair and overall look are typical for European and Dutch fashion. The background with what appears to be an Italian garden with a classical sculpture furthermore underlines the status and ambition of the sitter.
Much remains to be discovered about both the identity of the young man and the context in which this commission was made. Taking in consideration the vibrant cultural life of Amsterdam during this time, these portraits were crucial elements in formulating an identity and establishing or maintain a high position in the society. Apart from being a wonderful work of art in itself; future research may well prove this to be another important key in understanding the life of Nicolaes Maes and this exciting moment in the history of portraiture.
signed N Maes (lower right)
oil on panel
panel size: 17.71 x 14.72 inches (45.1 x 37.4 cm)
frame: 25.98 x 23.22 inches (66 x 59 cm)
PROVENANCE
With Agnews, London;
Seymour Berry (2nd Viscount Camrose);
Christie's,Hackwood Park, 20-22 April 1998, lot 771, Sold for 78.100€;
Christie's London, 27 April 2007, lot 58
LITERATURE:
Krempel, Nicholas Maes, Petersberg, 2000, p. 367, mentioned under F5 (Fruit still life in a landscape, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford), and dated to around 1670.
Arnold Houbraken, De groote schouburgh der Nederlantsche konstschilders en schilderessen, 3 vols. (The Hague, 1753. Reprint, Amsterdam, 1980), 2:274.
John Walsh Jr. "The Earliest Dated Painting by Nicolaes Maes." Metropolitan Museum Journal 6 (1972), pp. 105–14, figs. 1, 2, 7, 8 (overall and details).
John Walsh Jr. "New Dutch Paintings at The Metropolitan Museum." Apollo 99 (May 1974), pp. 348–49 n. 20, colorpl. VI.
Werner Sumowski. Gemälde der Rembrandt-Schüler. Vol. 3, B. Keil–J. Ovens. Landau/Pfalz, 1983–[94?], pp. 1951–52, 2006–7, 2011, no. 1315, ill. p. 2041
Peter C. Sutton in Masters of Seventeenth-Century Dutch Genre Painting. Exh. cat., Philadelphia Museum of Art. Philadelphia, 1984, p. LII.
Bob Haak. The Golden Age: Dutch Painters of the Seventeenth Century. New York, 1984, p. 420, fig. 917.
Eva Ornstein-Van Slooten. Bij Rembrandt in de Leer/Rembrandt as Teacher. Exh. cat., Museum Het Rembrandthuis. Amsterdam, 1984, p. 87, under no. 71, p. 88, under no. 72.
Alan Chong and Marjorie E. Wieseman. "De figuurschilderkunst in Dordrecht." De Zichtbaere Werelt: Schilderkunst uit de Gouden Eeuw in Hollands oudste Stad. Exh. cat., Dordrechts Museum. Zwolle, The Netherlands, 1992, p. 25, fig. 23.
Details
- CreatorNicolaes Maes (1634 - 1693, Dutch)
- DimensionsHeight: 17.76 in. (45.1 cm)Width: 14.73 in. (37.4 cm)
- Medium
- Movement & Style
- Period1680-1689
- Condition
- Gallery LocationStockholm, SE
- Reference NumberSeller: CA20231stDibs: LU144527113082
Shipping & Returns
- ShippingRates vary by destination and complexity. We recommend this shipping type based on item size, type and fragility.Estimated Customs Duties & Taxes to the Continental US: $0.Ships From: Stockholm, Sweden
- Return Policy
This item cannot be returned.
1stDibs Buyer Protection Guaranteed
If your item arrives not as described, we’ll work with you and the seller to make it right. Learn more
About the SellerNew to 1stDibsLocated in Stockholm, Sweden
Joined in the past six months.
5 / 5
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 2020
1stDibs seller since 2020
13 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
More From This Seller
- Located in Stockholm, SEJoos van Cleve (Follower of) 1485-1540 Saint Jerome in His Study Painted by a follower of Joos van Cleve, (ap...Category
17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOak, Oil, Panel
- Located in Stockholm, SEFOLLOWER OF ANTONELLO DA MESSINA PORTRAIT OF A MAN This little portrait, painted by an unknown artist, follows...Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Panel
US$6,381 Sale Price24% Off - By Lucas Cranach the ElderLocated in Stockholm, SELucas Cranach the elder (follower of) Portrait of Martin Luther oil on oak panel panel size 7.28 x 5.51 inches...Category
18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil, Panel
- Located in Stockholm, SEGenoese School, possibly Giovanni Andrea De Ferrari 1598-1669 (Genoa) A Holy Monstrance Surrounded by Putti We...Category
1620s Old Masters Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Located in Stockholm, SECarl Hedelin (1861-1894) Sweden The Young Policeman oil on canvas signed C.HEDELIN canvas dimension 22.83 x 12...Category
1890s Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
- Located in Stockholm, SEFerdinand Fagerlin (1825-1907) Sweden Portrait of Alice Ritter, The Artists Wife oil on canvas signed with mon...Category
1860s Portrait Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil
US$4,417 Sale Price20% Off
You May Also Like
17th century Dutch Old Master Portait of a lady - lace collar jewellery
Located in Antwerp, BE
Magnificent Dutch 17th century old master portrait of a lady.
This stunning portrait features one of the most accurate and delicate renderings of lace and jewels we have ever seen i...
Category
1640s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
16-17th century Italian figure painting - Anne - Oil on panel Renaissence
Located in Varmo, IT
Italian master of the 16th-17th century. - S. Anna with episodes of the Rest and the Flight into Egypt.
Oil on panel, in a carved and gilded wooden frame.
Condition report: Good ...
Category
16th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
Portrait of a Man
By Bernard Van Orley
Located in New York, NY
Circle of Bernard van Orley
(Flemish, 1487/1491 – 1541)
Portrait of a Man
Oil on panel
11 x 9 inches (27.9 x 22.9 cm)
Provenance:
with Leo Blumenreich and Julius Böhler, Munich,...
Category
16th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
US$52,500
Ecce Homo 16th Century Dutch Old Master Oil Painting Wood Panel
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Ecce Homo
Dutch School, 16th century
Follower of Lucas van Leyden (1494-1533)
oil painting on wood panel, framed
panel: 8.5 x 6.75 inches
framed: 12 x 10 inches
provenance: private c...
Category
16th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
Italian Rectangular Religious Oil on Canvas Painting with Gilt Wood Frame, 1733
Located in Firenze, IT
Don't miss the chance to buy this item at an unbelievable discounted price available for the holiday shopping season.
This antique and impressive oil on canvas of big dimension (more...
Category
Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Oil
18th C. Portrait of the 4th Earl of Sandwich a View of Constantinople Beyond
Located in London, GB
John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich
(13 November 1718 – 30 April 1792)
Attributed to George Knapton (1698-1778)
Dressed in the Turkish manner, standing full-length above the Bospho...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
18th Century Oil Painting Portrait of Provost John Pitcairn of Dundee
By Sir Henry Raeburn
Located in London, GB
The pendant to the present portrait showing John Pitcairn's wife Jean, née Robertson, is in the Huntington Art Gallery, San Marino. Both works are datable to the 1790s. Pitcairn, who...
Category
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
17th Century Oil Painting Portrait of a Young English Boy
By Gerard Soest
Located in London, GB
Gerard SOEST (1600 - 1681)
Portrait of a Young Boy
oil on canvas
35.5 x 30.5 inches inc. frame
Gerard Soest (circa 1600 – 11 February 1681), also known as Gerald Soest, was a portra...
Category
17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
The 1stDibs Promise
Learn MoreExpertly Vetted Sellers
Confidence at Checkout
Price-Match Guarantee
Exceptional Support
Buyer Protection
Insured Global Delivery