Portrait of an Officer

Portrait of an Officer, a 1621 painting by Jan van Ravesteyn, is part of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection. The artwork measures 0.97 meters in width and 1.15 meters in height.

The painting depicts a half-length portrait of a male officer. He is wearing a dark, possibly black, military-style jacket or armor with studded detailing. Over this, he wears a bright orange sash or scarf. His shirt cuffs are visible, appearing to be white lace. He also wears a white lace collar. His expression is serious and his gaze is directed slightly away from the viewer. He has a mustache. Part of a helmet or piece of armor rests on a richly patterned rug or carpet to his right. The background is dark and indistinct, suggesting a dimly lit interior. The overall style is characteristic of 17th-century Dutch portraiture.