Bronze Age Gold from Wales
Portrait of a man, bust length
VAN DYCK, Sir Anthony (Van Dyck was born at Antwerp, where in 1615 he entered Rubens' Academy and remained there until 1620. During his time at the academy he paid a short visit to England and in 1621 travelled to Italy. On his return to Antwerp in 1626 he became famous and in 1682 Charles II invited him to return to England where he was knighted. He became England's favourite painter and in 1640 travelled to Paris in the hope of a royal commission, but was disappointed and returned to England.)
This unknown sitter with his large ruff, floppy moustache and watery eyes is shown in profile within a feigned oval, a popular device of the period. Van Dyck was the most successful and talented of Rubens's assistants. He painted in Italy and refined his grand style of portraiture before arriving in England in 1632 to work as court painter for King Charles I, who knighted him shortly after his arrival.
Collection Area
Art
Item Number
NMW A 36
Creation/Production
VAN DYCK, Sir Anthony
Date: 1625 ca
Acquisition
Purchase, 1968
Measurements
Height (cm): 65.5
Width (cm): 56
Height (in): 25
Width (in): 22
Techniques
oil on canvas
Techniques (fine art)
art dept - fine
Fine Art - painting
Material
oil
canvas
Location
Gallery 03
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