Portrait of a Man

Gossart painted many portraits. By their rigorous psychological analysis he is surely one of the most talented northern artists to have practiced this genre. Usually, he would paint his sitters against a dark green background.

Several possibilities have been suggested for the sitter’s identity: Baudouin of Burgundy, Adolf of Burgundy, who had succeeded Philip of Burgundy (bastard son of Duke Philip the Good) as admiral in Zeeland, and Charles of Burgundy (1491- 1538). The latter proposal has found increasing acceptance.

The sitter’s cool gaze contrasts with the swirl of emblematic valuables surrounding his codpiece, which is accentuated by the gentleman’s gesturing hands. These objects include a ring, short sword with a pommel, keys, and a dagger inscribed “AUTRE QUE VOUS JE N’AIME” (I love you only)- an efficient motto for Duke Philip the Good, who enjoyed countless lovers and left innumerable bastard, including Adolf and his half-brother Philip, who had the chateau at Souburg, where Gossart worked for a time. A fish on the swordguard may identify Gossart’s patron as an admiral. Love was literally on the sitter’s mind, as a jeweled medal in his cap shows Venus and Cupid.