Portrait of Maerten Ruychaver, Burgomaster of Haarlem
1653
unspecified
From the collection of Rijksmuseum
Portrait of Maerten Ruychaver, Burgomaster of Haarlem is a 1653 unspecified by Unknown, a Baroque work, depicting oil paint, held at Rijksmuseum.
This painting shows a man with a white beard and mustache, dressed in a dark fur-lined coat and a ruffled white collar. His sleeves are black with a subtle pattern, and he rests his right hand on what looks like a small object or table. The background is plain and dark, with a small shield or crest tucked in the top corner. The man’s face is lit from the front, making his features clear while keeping the background shadowy. This kind of lighting was a common trick in portraits to show off details and make the person look important. If you like this style, look up chiaroscuro to see how artists used light and dark to create drama.
