Late 17th-Century German School, Portrait Of A Young Nobleman Gold and a crisp white cravat

and a crisp white cravat - here's a gentleman who valued refinement

Shimmering in lustrous tints

he was equally drawn to overlooked corners of houses

Our reference: BRV2130

2nd Earl of Rochester (1647-1680)’

Late 17th-Century German School, Portrait Of A Young Nobleman Gold and a crisp white cravatThis late 17th century German portrait depicts a young nobleman of the German lands, possibly Rudolf von Breitenbach of Hesse. His brown curls are arranged in the elegant style of the age, and he wears ceremonial armour. You'll notice that on the sitter's right arm, there's a finely modelled grotesque. This is known as a 'mascaron', and it served as both ornament and omen: a talisman of vigilance and a subtle echo of ancient Rome. Despite the armour,