Portrait of Frank van Borselen (c. 1390-1470), Lord of Sint Maartensdijk

The work is classified as a portrait genre painting in oil on panel created in the Northern Low Countries around 1480 depicting Frank van Borssele who held the title Lord of Sint Maartensdijk. Contemporary scholarship situates this piece within the early Netherlandish tradition characterized by meticulous oil technique and devotional realism though specific critical reception from the 15th century is not documented. Its attribution to an anonymous hand has been reassessed in modern catalogues placing it firmly within the artistic milieu of the Burgundian court where such portraits served both commemorative and political functions.

The painting's composition reflects broader stylistic developments in early portraiture of the period particularly in its treatment of surface detail and spatial depth within the Northern artistic tradition.

The work is a portrait of Frank van Borselen, a 15th‑century lord of Sint Maartensdijk. Rendered in oil on panel, the figure is shown seated before a dark table, his expression solemn. He wears a black robe, a vivid red hat, and a gold chain bearing a cross, while a shield with an unusual face and heraldic devices hangs on the wall behind him.

Frank van Borselen’s attire and insignia signal his high status, likely reflecting both secular authority and a connection to the church. The gold cross on his chain emphasizes piety, whereas the elaborate shield, displaying a distinctive visage and coat of arms, serves as a visual assertion of lineage and personal identity.