Lambert Sustris (d.1584) Portrait of a Nobleman.

Fine oil on panel portrait of a nobleman dating to c.1565 attributed to Lambert Sustris.

The handsome red haired sitter is depicted half-length against rock work and foliage. He wears the saturated black clothing associated with gentlemen of high status in the 16th century Veneto. In the previous century men had appeared in crimson and scarlet, and although brightly coloured clothing continued to be occasionally worn under black over-gowns, by the late 16th century black dominated fashion.

Black was the most expensive dye and therefore was a very fashionable colour - as an indicator of wealth, taste and understated elegance by European elites. This young man wears a coat from which his hands appear gesturing, as if to emphasize his action and authority.

He accessorizes his black robes with a modest lace trimmed white linen ruff. Such linen had a variety of qualities - up to 40 different degrees of fineness. To complete his powerful pose, he appears to hold a document or perhaps a pair of gloves, which he grasps firmly with one hand.

You would expect this keeper to also own a hat - likely of black felted wool or fur, we may be able to glimpse this tucked under his jacket, next to his chest.

Lambert Sustris (c. 1515–1520 – c. 1584) Sustris was a Dutch painter active mainly in Venice. The works Sustris completed in Italy exhibit either a Mannerist style or qualities that may be deemed proto-Baroque. He is also referred to as Alberto de Olanda (Albert of Holland). He was born in Amsterdam, and only came to Venice when over 40 years old. His training is unknown, but he was utilised by the studio of Titian for the depiction of landscapes.

He accompanied Titian on his trips to Augsburg in 1548 and 1550–1551, and there executed portraits. Returning to Venice, he was influenced by Parmigianino and Andrea Meldolla. He was a teacher to Girolamo Muziano. As the Muziano scholar Patrizia Tosini has noted, Sustris's works, via his pupil Muziano, are a significant means by which a mid-sixteenth century Venetian interest in landscape and its role as a backdrop for historical subjects spread to Rome in the mid-to-late sixteenth century. His son was Friedrich Sustris.

On the reverse of the panel the remains of a landscape can be seen, populated with classically draped figures.

This work is in an excellent state of conservation. The panel is stable and has benefitted form a light clean and re varnish. It is housed in its likely original ebonised frame which has a wonderful aged patina.

Panel: 13" x 17" / 33cm x 43cm.
Framed: 18.5" x 33" / 47cm x 84cm.