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It depicts a black man, possibly a slave,
warming his hands over a brazier. It is typical of De Bray’s later
portraits, depicting single subjects in a realistic manner with
some emphasis on the facial expression. Jan was the son and pupil of
Salomon de Bray (1597-1664), an architect and a poet. He spent most of
his career working in Haarlem, where he was for many years dean of the
painters' guild. The painters Bartholomeus van der Helst (1613-70) and
Frans Hals (c. 1582-1666) influenced Jan de Bray. His best works are
portraits of individuals and groups. In 1689 Jan was declared bankrupt
and moved from Haarlem to Amsterdam. There he stayed until his death,
but was buried in Haarlem in 1697. De Pass Collection, formerly in the collection of the Earl of Essex
(SACHMC27/24)
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