Workshop of Rogier van der Weyden
Oil paint on wood
33.7 x 23.5 cm
The open book and the two rings inset with ancient carved gemstones are evidence of the sitter’s interest in literature and antiquity. He may have been a cleric or scholar. On the reverse is his motto, Je he ce que mord (‘I hate things that bite’ in old French) illustrated by a beautiful branch of spiky holly.