Late 17th-Century German School, Portrait Of A Young Nobleman Gold looks towards the audience with

looks towards the audience with a rigid expression

Shimmering in lustrous tints

he was equally drawn to overlooked corners of houses

2nd Earl of Rochester (1647-1680)’

Late 17th-Century German School, Portrait Of A Young Nobleman Gold looks towards the audience withThis late 17th century German portrait depicts a young nobleman of the German lands, possibly Rudolf von Breitenbach of Hesse. His brown curls are arranged in the elegant style of the age, and he wears ceremonial armour. You'll notice that on the sitter's right arm, there's a finely modelled grotesque. This is known as a 'mascaron', and it served as both ornament and omen: a talisman of vigilance and a subtle echo of ancient Rome. Despite the armour,