CONTINENTAL SCHOOL (c.1680)

Portrait of a nobleman wearing his banyan

Oil on copper

Oval, 9cm x 6.5cm

Framed: 10cm x 8cm

Provenance

Private Collection, Belgium

A fine and highly detailed late 17th century continental portrait miniature on copper of a nobleman c. 1680.

The extravagantly dressed sitter sports a gown and a white high collared shirt with frilled lace front. This heavy and luxurious gown was called a banyan and it was worn indoors. Sometimes due to its origins, it was also called an Indian or Persian Gown. 

The example shown here is particularly impressive, as it is fashioned from shimmering turquoise silk embroidered with gold thread, and it also has striking plain deeper blue reveres. Such luxurious garments were often worn to greet guests and the velvet, brocade and silk fabrics that were used in their construction were not only a visual display of wealth they also helped the sitter to fend off cold and draughts.

Oil on copper portraits were relatively popular the continent in the latter part of the seventeenth century, with many distinguished painters working in this technique. They were also popular in England – as artistic fashions crossed the channel when the Duke married Henriette, sister of King Charles II.

More robust than a miniature on vellum, less expensive an enamel portraits, oil portraits retained colour and allowed the artist to be expressive in painting clothing or delicate lace – as seen here. 

£3800