Portrait of a Man

Arnold Boonen was Amsterdam's leading portrait painter in the early eighteenth century, succeeding Nicolaes Maes in that unofficial role. His clientele included wealthy merchants, regents, and members of the Dutch court at The Hague, all of whom favored his polished, dignified style. This portrait from around 1720 shows the influence of French court portraiture that was increasingly fashionable in the Dutch Republic during the era of the Grand Alliance.

Smooth, refined brushwork in the face gives way to broader handling in the costume and background, a technique Boonen inherited from his teacher Godfried Schalcken. The warm chiaroscuro centers attention on the sitter's composed expression.