Lot 1065 Dα

This previously undiscovered depiction of a soldier in a cuirass is a signed work from the hand of the painter Jan van Bijlert. The work has a highly lifelike character, despite the reduced palette of brown and green tones. This effect is achieved through the bright light illuminating the painting from the side, the realistic depiction of the fabrics and materials and the way in which the lifelike pose of the soldier gives the impression that he has noticed the viewer just as he was taking a drink. A similar depiction of a soldier holding a sword appeared on the Scandinavian art market in 2012. The dimensions of this piece - a pendant to a depiction of a woman - are almost identical to those of the present work.
We would like to thank Dr. Paul Huys Janssen for confirming the authenticity of this piece from a photograph.