Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 54 43 cm x

17th century carved and gilded wooden frame
The painter presents us with the portrait of a young man holding a candle in his hand, illuminating his face framed by curls of hair. He wears a brown suit with a beige collar; only his red beret adds a touch of color to this palette of brown monochrome.
A German painter originally from Olendburg, who, despite being deaf, traveled extensively and spent almost his entire career on the move. Around 1630, he left Olendburg for the Northern Netherlands to further his training and refine his skills, likely passing through Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft, and Utrecht. During his travels, he developed a remarkable adaptability, evolving his work to meet changing demands. In Rome, he painted the portrait of Pope Innocent X; in Florence, he worked for the Medici family; and in Denmark, he was court painter to Frederick III. He became familiar with the technique of using candles as a light source in interiors by copying Willem Duyster's painting "The Officer with the Candle." The use of candles as a light source in interiors was developed by Gerard van Honthorst and Georges de La Tour.