Portrait Of A Philosopher. 17th Century Dutch School.

Attributed to Salomon Koninck (Amsterdam 1609 – id. 1656). Oil on parquet oak panel Presented in a beautiful old molded blackened wooden frame with an inverted profile. Dimensions with frame: 88 x 73.5 cm. The panel alone: 52 x 37.5 cm In this portrait, the painter depicts an old bearded man, most likely a philosopher as it was common to portray at that time. Simply dressed in a heavy black velvet coat, we can see the two golden buttons of his shirt. The layout is very sober, a diagonal divides the composition into two parts and allows a contrast with the light background. The touch is lively, the hair and beard brushed vigorously. The light comes from above and illuminates this face to detail all its strength and psychology. This Dutch painter is the son of a goldsmith from Antwerp, a pupil of David Colyns, then of Vessant and of Moyaert, he became a member of the guild of Amsterdam in 1630 and soon came under the powerful influence of Rembrandt, at least until 1642. without ever having been his pupil. He will then yield to the new fashion of a decorative and finished painting. A skilful and faithful pasticheur of Rembrandt, he specialized in the representation, somewhat anecdotal in his rendering of detail, of the effects of light and matter, of bearded old men seen at the waist, such as the Weigher of Gold (1654, Rotterdam , BVB), who attest, like Lievens or Gerrit Dou, to the vogue for this picturesque motif among Rembrandt's pupils and imitators, as well as among the master himself. Many works of Rembranesque taste attributed to Philips Koninck must no doubt be returned to him (the absence of first names in certain citations of works from old inventories or sales catalogs leads to confusion). The artist does not seem to have any family ties with the latter, if not very distant. Salomon Koninck was also an etching engraver. Note: illegible trace of signature on the left. Very good state of preservation. Sold with descriptive invoice & certificate.