Portrait of a Man Holding a Watch

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

For a long time the identity of this bearded man was unknown. Recent scholarship reveals that it is very likely a portrait of Mathijs Jansz Boeckels, a watchmaker from the Dutch city of Haarlem. This explains the emphasis of the gold timepiece at lower right; though small, the object gleams with importance. Boeckels came from a long line of prominent Mennonite watchmakers. His clothing is appropriately dark and simple, reflecting Mennonite restraint; moreover he lacks the showy white cuffs typically worn by the Dutch well-to-do.

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