Portrait of a Nobleman, possibly Adriaan van der Borcht
c. 1635
Check out this guy's serious business attire—head-to-toe black velvet with a collar so stiff and white it looks like a ruffled plate of pasta around his neck. Anthony van Dyck, the ultimate celebrity portraitist of the 17th century, captured this nobleman in a classic power pose, dramatically pointing out toward a busy harbor scene. It's essentially a 17th-century flex, implying, 'See all those ships? Yeah, that's my influence right there.' The giant orange curtain with the family crest behind him adds a theatrical touch, typical of the Baroque era's love for drama and status.
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