This portrait is painted on a rare hardwood, a species of ‘Cordia’ only found in tropical parts of America, which has been carved into a panel for a door before being used as a painting support. 1635, the date inscribed on the painting, represents a very early date for the introduction of such wood into Europe.

Having been enjoyed as a Rembrandt for many years this painting (along with many others by the artist) has recently experienced some reversals of fortune - accepted by some and rejected by others. The most recent scholarly judgement has argued in favour of the traditional attribution to Rembrandt, pointing out that the brushwork describing the face has a freshness and vigour associated with Rembrandt’s work. There are some passages which are less fully described, such as the eye in shadow, but this is typical of Rembrandt's works of this date, as his Belshazzar's Feast (National Gallery, London), which are characterised by expressive energy rather than laborious finishing. The signature also appears to be original.

Inscribed: 'Rembrandt / f. 1635'