(17th century)

Portrait of a Gentleman, heraldic crest a silver shield with a red chevron positioned between two mullets at the top and a tree at the bottom., profile helmet, Argent and Gules, with wings surmounting crest, oil on canvas, 41-1/4 x 32-1/4 in.; early 20th century carved and gilt wood frame, 50-1/4 x 41-7/8 x 4-1/2 in.

Provenance: Presumed Albert S. Ludlow (1844-1919), Waukesha, Wisconsin; his sale, Wall Auction Rooms, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Don Johnston, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; K. R. Bullock, Pewaukee, Wisconsin; Private Collection

Note: A Portrait with a past, this painting was found in the old New York post office prior to it being torn down in the early 20th century. An article on an auction in which this portrait may have been sold (according to an appraisal) from the Milwaukee Journal dated December 4, 1940 suggests that it is by Simon Renard de Saint-Andre (French, 1613-1677) and depicts Richard Simon (1638-1712), circa 1677, a Catholic biblical scholar.

The heraldic style of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire, of which parts of the Netherlands were historically a part, stands in contrast to other European styles like Gallo-British heraldry. The elements of this crest point to a Germanic or Northern European gentleman. To find a Flemish or Dutch portrait in New York City seems supportive of the Northern European elements of the crest.