Lewis Pryse

This painting features a man with curly, light-colored hair, wearing a dark blue velvet jacket over a white shirt with billowy sleeves.

This painting features a man with curly, light-colored hair, wearing a dark blue velvet jacket over a white shirt with billowy sleeves. He is holding a book in his right hand, with the spine facing outward. The background of the painting is dark, which contrasts with the subject's clothing and hair. The man's attire and hairstyle suggest that the painting was created during the early 18th century. The use of oil paint and the dark background also contribute to this impression. The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, adds depth to the painting. This technique was commonly used during the Baroque period, which further supports the estimated date of the painting.