A Young Man Holding a Staff
1640 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This portrait features a young man with long, wavy hair, dressed in a brown doublet with a simple white collar, holding a staff. The work is characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age portraiture style.
Did you know?
Pieter Soutman was a multifaceted Dutch Golden Age artist who not only painted fine portraits but also gained renown for his prolific work as a printmaker. His ability to capture the psychological nuance and texture of fabric in this portrait exemplifies the high level of technical skill valued during the 17th century in the Netherlands. The inclusion of the staff often signaled the sitter's status or potential role as a traveler or gentleman.
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A Young Man Holding a Staff
Pieter Soutman, 1640
