Portret van een koopman 1653 - 1706

"Portret van een koopman" (Portrait of a Merchant) is a red chalk drawing by Dutch artist Godfried Schalcken, created between 1653 and 1706. The drawing depicts a seated man in a room, possibly his office, with a table in front of him. The man is dressed in a long coat and a wig, which was fashionable at the time. He is likely a wealthy merchant, as indicated by his clothing and surroundings. The drawing is a preparatory work for a painting, which is now lost. Schalcken was known for his mastery of chiaroscuro, which is evident in the drawing's use of light and shadow to create depth and volume. This drawing showcases Schalcken’s ability to portray his subject in detail and create a sense of realism, which was popular during the Dutch Golden Age. The drawing is now part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam.