Man with a Ruff
Anthony van Dyck·17th century
Historical Context
This portrait of a man with a ruff by a follower of Anthony van Dyck reflects the enormous influence of Van Dyck's portrait style across Europe in the seventeenth century. Van Dyck's elegant, aristocratic approach to portraiture was endlessly imitated by painters throughout the century, and many paintings in his manner were attributed to the master himself. The large ruff collar dates this portrait to the mid-seventeenth century when such fashion was still current.
Technical Analysis
The oil on canvas follows Van Dyck's portrait conventions with warm flesh tones and the characteristic silvery treatment of the ruff collar. The painting demonstrates competent execution within the Van Dyckian tradition, though without the master's distinctive spontaneity and psychological penetration.
Look Closer
- ◆Observe how this work reflects the vast influence of Van Dyck's style — his portrait formulas were widely copied and imitated for generations after his death.
Provenance
Probably Arthur Hamilton Lee, Viscount Lee of Fareham (died 1947); his widow, Viscountess Lee of Fareham (née Ruth Moore), by October1960, when she sold it to Agnew’s, London [email from Jane E. H. Hamilton dated 26 November 2002, in curatorial file]; sold by Agnew's to Dr. John J. Ireland (died 1968), Chicago, December 1960 [according to email cited above]; bequeathed by him to the Art Institute, 1968.
