Isaac Luttichuys (London 1616-1673 Amsterdam)

This recently rediscovered portrait had long born an attribution to Bartholomeus van der Helst, but Bernd Ebert, who only knew it from an old black-and-white photograph, recognized it as a characteristic work by Isaac Luttichuys and dated it to circa 1655-60 (op. cit.). Like van der Helst, Luttichuys’ fluent rendering of costume materials, particularly evident in his depiction of the intricate lace patterns of the man’s flat collar and cuffs, found a ready market with Amsterdam’s ruling class. Similarly, the subtle sense of movement conveyed through the sitter’s projecting left hand was a device that van der Helst likewise favored in a number of important commissions, including his portraits of Jacob Trip (circa 1655; Amsterdam Museum), Emanuel de Geer (circa 1656; Nationalmuseum, Stockholm) and Joan Huydecoper (circa 1660; Private collection). However, the unusual blue tonality of the sky is a distinctive feature of Luttichuys’ work, as evinced in works such as the Portrait of a man, three-quarter-length (1650; Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Brussels) and the Portrait of a 28-year-old woman, three-quarter-length (circa 1660-65; Musée Historique, Château, Gourdon).