Description

A mottled background, pitch-black costume, and bright ruff all serve to highlight the enigmatic visage of this unidentified man. Though his arresting gaze invites the viewer in, his face is also turned away and cast partially in shadow, as if he seeks to keep his distance from the individual on the other side of the picture plane. Other versions of this composition exist, suggesting that the man’s mysterious character and distinctive appearance captivated many artists and patrons of his time.

Provenance

Probably Charles Jennens (died 1773), Gopsall, Leicestershire, by 1767; by descent to Richard George Penn Curzon, 4th Earl Howe, Gopsall, until 1918 [according to letter from Gabriel Naughton, Thomas Agnew and Sons, London, April 18, 2000, and letter from Frederick, Earl Howe, July 22, 2000, in curatorial file]; sold to Agnew’s, London, 1918; sold by Agnew’s to W. L. Peacock and Co., London, 1921 [according to Naughton letter cited above]. Mrs. Helen Hilston Cowie (died 1947), Ravensleigh, Dowanhill, Glasgow; by descent to her husband Thomas Rennie Cowie (died 1950); sold by her heirs at Christie’s, London, May 18, 1951, no. 62, to P. and D. Colnaghi and Co., London, for £85; sold by Colnaghi to the Art Institute, 1951.