Portrait of a Burgomaster

Bartholomeus van der Helst

c. 1665–70

Oil on canvas

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A man with reddish-brown hair and a fair complexion is depicted in a formal portrait. He wears a black velvet robe over ornate clothing, a white ruffled collar, and a red bow tie. His left hand rests on a column, and his right hand is partially visible at his side. He wears his wealth on his sleeves. The lace on his vest front and cuffs, handmade from precious threads of gold and silver, are the most expensive element of his lavish ensemble. Such finery fuelled controversy in Holland, where Protestant preachers lauded frugality, because it used scarce resources for the sake of vanity. This man, who may have been a city leader (burgomaster), made some concession to modesty with his black suit. But he clearly had a flair for fashion. Gallery G311 Bequest of John R. Van Derlip in memory of Ethel Morrison Van Derlip