Fine Art

Portrait of Abraham de Potter, Amsterdam Silk Merchant — History & Facts

At first sight, this portrait appears fairly conventional. The sitter is dressed in sober black, and the stiff pleated ruff was no longer particularly fashionable in 1649. However, the background is unusual: Potter stands before a weathered plastered wall.

Above his signature, Fabritius painted a small, deceptively real nail, which seems to stick out of the canvas.

More Artworks by Carel Fabritius

A European goldfinch with a red face mask and yellow wing stripe perches on a blue-grey box against a pale wall, chained by its ankle.

The Goldfinch

Carel Fabritius

Hera hides during the battle between the gods and the giants, painted by Carel Fabritius in 1640.

Hera hiding during the battle between the gods and the giants

Carel Fabritius

Self-portrait of Carel Fabritius, showcasing his artistic identity and skill.

Self-portrait

Carel Fabritius

A depiction of Lazarus rising from the tomb at Christ's command, surrounded by mourners.

The Raising of Lazarus

Carel Fabritius

A portrait of a bearded man with a direct gaze, painted by Carel Fabritius in 1645.

Portrait of a Bearded Man

Carel Fabritius

A portrait of a man wearing a burnished metal helmet, gazing thoughtfully into the distance.

Man with a Helmet

Carel Fabritius

A detailed portrait of an old man, showcasing his expressive face and deep emotions.

Head of an Old Man

Carel Fabritius

A profile portrait of a lady painted by Carel Fabritius, showcasing her contemplative expression.

Portrait of a lady in profile

Carel Fabritius

A portrait of a boy painted by Carel Fabritius, showcasing his direct gaze and soft features.

portrait of a boy

Carel Fabritius

A scene depicting Mercury confronting Aglauros, showcasing tension and emotion.

Mercury and Aglauros

Carel Fabritius

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More Portrait Art

A young girl in a pale dress stands center surrounded by figures including two women, a dwarf, a dog, and a man with a brush beside a large canvas.

Las Meninas

Diego Velázquez

A European girl wearing a blue headscarf with a yellow drape and a large pearl earring against a dark background.

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Johannes Vermeer

A man wearing a heavy brown coat and dark fur hat with a white bandage on his right ear clenches a wooden pipe between his lips as smoke rises.

Self-portrait with a Bandaged Ear and Pipe

Unidentified artist

Marie de' Medici stands in a lavish black and gold gown with a golden mantle and helmet, crowned by two winged putti above her, with armor and weapons at her feet against a dramatic sky.

Portrait de Marie de Médicis

Peter Paul Rubens

A seated woman in a deep blue and gold gown with a starched white ruff, holding flowers, against a red curtain and grand architectural background.

Anne of Austria, Queen of France

Peter Paul Rubens

Equestrian portrait of Charles Colonna, Duke of Marsi by Peter Paul Rubens, depicting the Duke on a rearing warhorse.

Equestrian portrait of Charles Colonna, Duke of Marsi

Peter Paul Rubens

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