Portrait of Andries van Eertvelt (1590-1652) c. 1650 - 1700

This is a portrait in oil on canvas of Andries van Eertvelt, a Flemish Baroque painter, made by an anonymous artist. Portraits such as this one are revealing of the complex social structures of the time. Here we have a portrait of an artist by an unknown artist, indicating the economic importance and status of painters within 17th-century Europe. Eertvelt holds a paintbrush and palette, visual shorthand for his profession. The gaze is directed away from the viewer, perhaps toward the canvas. The play of light and shadow emphasizes the sitter's character and brings an immediacy to his presence. To better understand this painting, we can consult period documents that help us better understand the institutions of the time, such as guild records, commercial contracts, and inventories of art collections. This can help us better understand the role of artists in the economic and social life of the time.