MARTIN MYTENS (1648-1736)

Portrait of a nobleman Canvas (relined). Signed 'M. Mytens f.'. Martin Mytens is born in The Hague in 1648. At a young age, he travels with his father to Portugal where he will stay for three years. In 1677 he moves to Stockholm, where his older brother Diederick and his cousin Scipio were already doing business as spice merchants. Shortly after, he was appointed court painter which, in addition to a substantial inheritance, would provide him with considerable wealth that would allow him to create an excellent art collection. Mytens mainly paints portraits of noblemen and women in a rather sober but refined manner. In Stockholm, his style will become slightly more exuberant and colourful to suit the taste of his clientele. Provenance Charles Jacobs, Antwerp, 1963 (with photo certificate); Antwerp private collection 72 x 57 cm (91 x 76 cm)