FREDERICK KERSEBOOM (1632-1690) - PORTRAIT OF A NOBLEMAN (2)

A fine late 17th century British portrait of a Norfolk nobleman attributed to Frederick Kerseboom (1632 - 1690).

The elegant sitter is depicted half length within the oval wearing a large powdered full bottomed periwig and an aristocratic costume which includes a crimson silk wrap, a pale blue silk coat and a pristine white stock.

Although this gentleman’s costume leaves us in no doubt as to his status, despite his grand attire aside, the soft lighting employed by the artist and the sitters smooth, softly modelled face and ruddy cheeks, create a portrait which shuns baroque hauteur. This is a warm and welcoming work of a well characterised and sympathetic individual.

Frederick Kerseboom (1632-1690) Frederick Kerseboom was a German painter renowned for his portraiture, who trained across Europe before establishing a successful practice in late 17th-century England, where he captured the likenesses of notable figures including aristocrats and scholars. Born in Solingen, Germany, Kerseboom came from a family of artists and initially pursued history and portrait painting, but found greater demand for portraits among the aristocracy and middle ranks of society upon arriving in London in the 1680s.

Kerseboom's early career took him to Amsterdam for studies, followed by Paris in 1650, where he apprenticed under the prominent court painter Charles Le Brun. He later spent 14 years in Rome, including two under the tutelage of Nicolas Poussin, producing history paintings in Poussin's manner. By the 1680s, he had settled in London's Covent Garden alongside his nephew, the painter Johann Kerseboom, and adapted his style to English tastes, producing rigidly posed works influenced by contemporaries like Willem Wissing.

Among Kerseboom's known works are portraits such as those of Theophilus Leigh (1683) and the Hon. Mary Leigh, as well as experiments with painting on glass; his history scenes are known today mainly through engravings. He was mistakenly referred to as "Casaubon" in contemporary correspondence and burial records. Kerseboom died in London and was buried at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, on 30 March 1693.

This fine portrait is in an excellent state of conservation, it is the companion portrait to another portrait ( the sitters brother) also listed here. They are both ready to hang and enjoy either singly or ad a pair in their matching original carved and gilded oval ‘lely’ style frames.

Higher resolution images on request. Worldwide shipping available. 

Canvas: 34” x 27" / 86cm x 67cm.   Frame: 42" x 34” / 105cm x 85 cm.    

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