The Van Dyke Beard

During the seventeenth century, when this teeny miniature was painted, most gentlemen wore beards to symbolise their virility and masculinity. This unknown nobleman has a chin beard (goatee) and separate moustache in a style that was named after the painter Van Dyke and wears a black doublet and white collar lavishly trimmed with expensive lace to showcase his wealth and position.

Set against a traditional blue background with a painted gold border, the portrait was painted on vellum around 1620. It is presented in its original gold frame with beautiful enamelling to the rim.