Portrait of a Gentleman
by VOUET, Simon, Oil on canvas, 77 x 60 cm
This portrait, depicting a gentleman, bust-length, in a painted oval, dates from Vouet’s Italian period. While the identity of the sitter is unknown, Vouet captures the man with a profound empathy and spirit. His heavy eyelids and strong cheekbones are emphasized by the dramatic lighting, evidence of the continued popularity of Caravaggism in Rome.