German School, circa 1640

This jewel-like portrait miniature of a prominent military officer probably dates to circa 1640. In the seventeenth century, intimate and small-scale portraits such as the present work were among the most personal forms of art. Their portable size and durable copper supports enabled them to serve a variety of purposes; most often as personal mementos, tokens of affection and loyalty, and diplomatic gifts. Dressed in ornate armor with an elaborate triple lace collar, the sitter in the present portrait was likely a high ranking officer. He bears some resemblance to Ottavio Piccolomini, 1st Duke of Amalfi (1599-1656) whose military career included service as a Spanish general in German-speaking countries in the early 1640s, however the identity of the sitter remains inconclusive.¹ The artist of this charming portrait may have belonged to the circle of Wolfgang Heimbach (1615–1678), a German court painter who travelled to Italy and the Low Countries and executed a number of miniature portraits.

We are grateful to Fred G. Meijer for his assistance in the cataloguing of this lot.

¹ For an example of Ottavio Piccolomini's likeness, see Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, inv. no. RP-P-1908-3873.