Lot 150: Abraham van Dijck , Amsterdam 1635/6 - 1672 Portrait of a gentleman, probably Johannes van Zell (born circa 1620), seated half-length, wearing a gold embroidered waistcoat and a crimson fur-trimmed coat, holding a letter oil on canvas

signed and dated centre right: A.V.Dyck.f/ 1660, and inscribed with the identity of the sitter and dated on the letter: J v Zell: adv 10-20 Aúgústi a o 1660. oil on canvas

measurements note 89.5 by 78.4 cm.

Anonymous sale, Cologne, Lempertz, 15 May 1956, lot 21.

OTHER PROPERTIES
The sitter can most probably be identified to Johannes van Zell, born in Haarlem, around 1620. He is recorded as a law student in Leiden in 1621, at the age of 21, making him approximately 40 years old at the time of this portrait. The 'adv' on the letter in his hand is short for advocatus, and refers to his profession as a lawyer. The two dates on the letter, 10 and 20 August, indicate both the Gregorian and the Julian calendar dates.

We are grateful to Monique A.F. Peters, of the Stadsarchief, Amsterdam, for identifying the sitter.