A Young Archer

A young black man in a grey-green jacket holds a golden bow in his right hand while an ornate quiver hangs from his shoulder. His identity is unknown. This painting was most likely not a commissioned portrait, but rather a so-called tronie, a portrayal of an intriguing individual, often wearing fanciful costume painted for the open market. Flinck studied in Rembrandt's studio on Amsterdam’s Jodenbreestraat, a neighbourhood where the city's black community was concentrated. This picture was considered a fine example of Rembrandt’s work in the middle of the nineteenth century when it was acquired by the 4th Marquess of Hertford. It was later re-attributed to Flinck due to the remains of the artist’s signature, and to the existence of a drawing by Flinck of the same model.