Portrait of a Young Man
Artist: Studio of Caspar Netscher (Dutch, 1639 - 1684)
Original Dimensions: 18 3/4" x 15 1/8"
Location: National Gallery of Art, London
About Artwork: (1679) "A young man stands leaning to one side, his arm resting on a stone plinth. His gaze is soft and he has a slight smile on his face. The artist has concentrated on the long curled hair, the elaborate and expensive lace, and his long fingers. The plinth shows a relief carving of Eros, the god of love, doing battle with Pan, the horned god associated with fertility. The sculpture, then, symbolises true love overcoming lust. The portrait may have celebrated a betrothal or a marriage, when a young man would be expected to settle down to domesticity – perhaps after living a more carefree life. But since we don‘t know his identity, we can’t be sure if this has any significance for the young sitter. This picture was once thought to be by Caspar Netscher, but the signature and date aren't in his handwriting and were probably added later." - (National Gallery of Art, London)

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