Portrait of a Man

ca. 1645–50

Medium

Black chalk, heightened with white, with touches of red chalk, on blue paper (recto); pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash over black chalk (verso)

About Jacob Backer

1608–1651 • Dutch Republic

Style was influenced by Rembrandt and Classicism. Known for his portraits, Backer received many important commissions for group portraits; he also was a history painter. His father, a Mennonite baker, left Friesland and settled the family in Amsterdam in 1611. Jacob Backer returned to Friesland in 1627 to study under Lambert Jacobsz. Comment on works: Portraits, History scenes.

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