Jacob de Witt
Meet Jacob de Witt, father of two of the most powerful (and tragically doomed) politicians in Dutch history, painted by Gerard van Honthorst in 1659. The inscription 'A 50' on the left reveals he was 50 years old when this portrait was made, sporting a fashionable, massive lace collar that probably cost more than most people's houses. Honthorst, famous for his dramatic candlelit night scenes, here opts for a calm, dignified look, framing Jacob in a simple oval against a dark background to highlight that incredible facial hair and serious gaze.
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