Self-portrait of Justus Sustermans

The portrait shows a man with long dark hair, a neatly trimmed mustache, and a solemn expression. He wears a black jacket trimmed with white collar and cuffs, his right hand placed over his chest. The direct eye contact and the dignified posture suggest a self‑assertion of professional identity, typical of court painters who wished to convey both skill and status.

Rendered in oil on canvas, Sustermans employs the chiaroscuro characteristic of the Baroque, using deep shadows to model the face and clothing while a subtle light catches the white collar. The brushwork is fine in the facial features, contrasting with broader strokes in the dark background, creating a clear separation between the sitter and his surroundings.

Sustermans, originally from Flanders, served as the Medici court painter in Florence and later received honors from Emperor Ferdinand II. The self‑portrait, likely intended as a personal record of his career, entered the Uffizi collection, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s holdings of 17th‑century portraiture.