An African Soldier Leaning Out of a Window and Holding a Flag (Primary Title)
A Black Soldier Leaning Out of a Window and Holding a Flag (Former Title)
Bartholomeus Maton, Dutch, ca. 1643 - after 1682 (Artist)
During this period of the 17th century, the rise of
maritime trade originating in Holland led to the arrival
in the country of both free and enslaved people coming
from Africa. The figure emerging from the cracked
stone window in this painting may have been a wealthy
African involved in Leyden’s local trade community.
His costume signals his affiliation with the landowning
militia who were involved in the defense of the city.
His lavish turban and the heraldic colors of his coat and
standard also evoke the Ottoman Empire that then ruled
the Middle East and most of North Africa. The diplomatic
nickname for this vast empire was the Sublime Porte,
and many Europeans of the time perceived its populace
as both a threat against Christendom and a paragon of
prosperity and refinement. This man’s sumptuous attire
and jovial expression demonstrate the ambivalent
fascination that characterized many Europeans’ views
of people from underrepresented cultures. Bust portraits
in this format, called “tronies,” were extremely popular
in Dutch and Flemish art during the 17th century, but
subjects of non-European ethnicity such as this one
were rare.
signed with monogram lower left: MT (in ligature)
The Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III Collection
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
