The artwork titled “Jacobus Zaffius” was created by the renowned artist Frans Hals in the year 1611. Executed in oil on panel, this piece exemplifies the Baroque art movement and is classified under the genres of portrait and tronie. Measuring 54.5 by 41.5 centimeters, the artwork is currently housed at the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, Netherlands.
The artwork depicts an elderly man with a distinguished presence, adorned with a fur-trimmed cloak. His contemplative expression and the meticulous rendering of his facial features, such as his white beard and lined forehead, capture a sense of wisdom and experience. The soft contrast between the subject’s light skin and the darker background emphasizes his face, drawing the viewer’s attention to the subtle details of his countenance. The simplicity and minimalism in the surroundings further enhance the focus on the individual’s persona. Adjacent to the figure, an epigraph and a coat of arms are inscribed, adding a heraldic and formal dimension to the portrait.