Who painted Unknown man?

Unknown man was painted by Samuel Cooper in 1650.

Where can I see Unknown man?

Unknown man is held by Nationalmuseum.

Artwork

Unknown man

Unknown man is an unspecified painting by Samuel Cooper. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1650, this oval miniature portrays an unidentified gentleman rendered in the refined style of English portrait miniaturist Samuel Cooper. The work belongs to the collection of Sweden’s Nationalmuseum and exemplifies the intimate scale and precise detail characteristic of mid‑17th‑century miniature painting.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown with light‑brown, curled hair, a solemn expression, and a direct gaze toward the left side of the picture plane. He wears dark clothing accented by a white ruff‑like collar and a black bow tie, suggesting a formal, possibly courtly, attire typical of the period.

Technique & Style

Executed on a small support, the miniature displays Cooper’s hallmark meticulous brushwork and subtle tonal modeling. The oval format, framed by a light‑toned wooden or metal mount suspended from a gold ring, enhances the work’s delicate elegance and focus on facial features.

History & Provenance

Samuel Cooper, a leading English miniaturist and younger brother of fellow artist Alexander Cooper, produced the piece during his most active period. The painting entered the Nationalmuseum’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains part of the museum’s representation of 17th‑century British portraiture.