David Gloxin * Anselm van Hulle (1601-1674)

The portrait presents a man in a half-length composition set against a dark, undefined background. He is positioned centrally within an oval frame, a common convention for formal portraits of the period. The subjects gaze is directed towards the viewer, establishing a direct connection and conveying a sense of authority or self-assurance.
The artist has rendered the man’s features with considerable detail. His face displays a slightly melancholic expression; the lines around his eyes and mouth suggest age and experience. A neatly trimmed beard and mustache frame his face, contributing to an overall impression of dignity and refinement. The hair is dark, receding from the forehead, and styled in a manner characteristic of the 17th century.
The man’s attire further reinforces his status. He wears a black garment with a prominent, elaborately decorated white lace collar. A heavy chain, likely indicative of an official position or membership in a guild, hangs across his chest, culminating in a pendant bearing what appears to be a miniature portrait. The dark fabric absorbs the light, emphasizing the luminosity of the face and collar, drawing attention to these key elements.
Inscribed above the subjects head is text identifying him by name and titles – H. David Gloxin... u.F. Suxe Launeburger… auch des Fürst. Rom. Reichs. Stadt LIEBECH. This inscription serves as a formal declaration of his identity and affiliations, solidifying the portrait’s purpose as an official record. A smaller inscription in the lower right corner provides dates: AEATIS 52. Anno 1648.” indicating that this is a depiction of the man at age fifty-two, created in the year 1648.
Subtleties within the painting suggest layers of meaning beyond a simple representation. The somber color palette and the subject’s contemplative expression might hint at underlying anxieties or responsibilities associated with his position. The inclusion of the chain and pendant signifies not only status but also potentially burdens – obligations tied to his role in society. The portrait, therefore, transcends mere likeness; it functions as a visual document conveying information about identity, rank, and perhaps even an individual’s inner state within a specific historical context.