Portrait of Paulus van Vianen (1550-1613)
c. 1575 - c. 1613
Meet Paulus van Vianen, a prominent Dutch goldsmith and sculptor, immortalized here by his contemporary Cornelis Ketel. Notice the gigantic, starched white ruff collar—a massive fashion statement of the late 16th century that screams wealth and status. In his hand, he proudly displays a small terracotta model, likely a maquette for one of his intricate silver or gold masterpieces, reminding us that he was a man who shaped metal and clay with equal brilliance. This Mannerist portrait perfectly captures the artistic pride of the Dutch Golden Age's early days.
Location: Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam