Frederick Kerseboom (1632-1690) - Portrait Of A Noble (2)

A fine British portrait from the late 17th century, depicting a Norfolk nobleman, attributed to Frederick Kerseboom (1632-1690). The elegant sitter is shown half-length in an oval, wearing an imposing powdered wig and aristocratic attire including a crimson silk stole, a pale blue silk cloak, and a pristine white cravat. Although the gentleman's attire leaves no doubt as to his status, despite its sumptuous appearance, the artist's soft lighting, the sitter's smooth, delicately modeled face, and rosy cheeks create a portrait that stands out from the Baroque heights. It is a warm and inviting work, portraying an engaging and well-characterized individual. Frederick Kerseboom (1632-1690) was a German painter renowned for his portraits. He trained throughout Europe before successfully establishing himself in England at the end of the 17th century, where he immortalized the features of notable figures, including aristocrats and scholars. Born in Solingen, Germany, Kerseboom came from a family of artists. He initially devoted himself to history painting and portraiture, but noticed a growing demand for the latter among the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie when he arrived in London in the 1680s. His early studies took him to Amsterdam, then to Paris in 1650, where he apprenticed with the renowned court painter, Charles Le Brun. He then spent fourteen years in Rome, including two under the tutelage of Nicolas Poussin, producing history paintings in the latter's style. In the 1680s, he settled in Covent Garden, London, with his nephew, the painter Johann Kerseboom, and adapted his style to English taste, producing works with rigid poses, influenced by contemporaries such as Willem Wissing. Among Kerseboom's known works are portraits such as those of Theophilus Leigh (1683) and the Honorable Mary Leigh, as well as experiments on glass. His historical scenes are now known mainly through engravings. He was mistakenly referred to as "Casaubon" in correspondence and burial records of the period. Kerseboom died in London and was buried in St. Paul's, Covent Garden, on March 30, 1693. This exquisitely detailed portrait is in excellent condition. It is a pendant to another portrait (that of the sitter's brother), also shown here. Both are ready to hang and can be admired separately or together, in their original carved and gilded oval frames in the "Lely" style. High-resolution images are available upon request. International shipping. Canvas: 86 cm x 67 cm. Frame: 105 cm x 85 cm.