A Portrait of a young Boy, Full Length, in a black Costume, holding a Cane - Rafael Valls

mid-17th century

Medium

Oil on Panel

Status

In Gallery Collection

Collect24 Art ID

C24-150371

It has not been possible so far to attribute with any certainty the artist responsible for this very attractive and finely painted portrait of a boy. For many years it has been attributed to Aelbert Cuyp which is not tenable, but it is evidently by an artist working in his circle. The square lace collar helps to date the work to the mid-17th century. This soberly dressed boy holds a cane, a typically male accessory, and is presented to us as a well-mannered young man rather than a child. He is perhaps seven or eight years old and is wearing the rich yet simple clothes of a respectable Dutch man. The lack of toys or a more colourful outfit is evidence of the fact that childhood is fast vanishing behind him. His confident posture with feet crossed, hand on hip and cane pointing to the side is the typical stance of full-grown men in portraits of the same period. The dark background behind him is interrupted only by a square stone column, another symbol of discipline, masculinity and learning.