Who painted Portrait of a Young Gentleman?

Portrait of a Young Gentleman was painted by Gerard ter Borch in 1667.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Gentleman?

Portrait of a Young Gentleman is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Gentleman?

Portrait of a Young Gentleman is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of a Young Gentleman

Gerard ter Borch , 1667

Portrait of a Young Gentleman is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard ter Borch. It dates from 1667 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Gerard ter Borch painted the work in 1667, placing it within the Dutch Golden Age. The canvas, now part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin collection, presents a solitary figure in a restrained interior, exemplifying the period’s focus on realistic representation and psychological insight.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is a young man dressed in a black robe, seated on a stool with his hand resting on a low table. Beside him lie a stack of books and a folded hat, suggesting scholarly or professional pursuits, while the plain surroundings emphasize his personal presence over decorative setting.

Technique & Style

Ter Borch employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing light to illuminate the gentleman’s face against a dark wall and window backdrop. This contrast highlights facial features and conveys a quiet interiority, characteristic of the artist’s nuanced handling of texture and tone.

History & Provenance

Since its creation, the portrait has remained in European collections, ultimately entering the holdings of Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie. Its documented provenance traces a typical trajectory for Dutch 17th‑century works, moving through private and institutional hands before reaching the museum.

Artist & collection

Artist

Gerard ter Borch

Gerard ter Borch (Dutch: ; December 1617 – 8 December 1681), also known as Gerard Terburg (Dutch: ), was a Dutch Golden Age painter mainly of genre subjects.