Fabulous portrait.
This masterpiece from the National Gallery in London features a picture which opens my new book.
Constantijn Huygens was a polymath. Secretary to two princes of Orange, diplomat, poet, musician, aficionado of painting, and owned a huge library and engaged in animated written correspondence with great intellectuals, including Descartes and contemporary painters - Pieter Lastman, Jan Lievens, Gerard Gerrit van Honthorst, Anthony van Dyck, Rembrandt etc. A giant during the Dutch Golden Age.
The objects on table - globe/maps, books, quill, papers etc. refer to a broad intellect.
Navigation instruments (?) and exquisite table cloth. So beautiful.
The distant gaze and the general expression of thoughtfulness and contemplation.
His neatly trimmed beard and mustache suggest a refined gentleman.