_Matthew Merian, the younger_ (Swiss: 1621-1687).
This painter was the son of Matthew Merian, the elder, an
eminent Swiss draughtsman and engraver. The father had
established himself at Frankfort as a book and print seller,
and on his death in 1650, the son assumed management of the
business, and continued the publication of the "Theatrum
Europæum," for which he arranged several plates. But the
younger Merian was best known as a painter. He was born at
Bâle, and at the age of 14 came to Frankfort, where he learnt
to paint under Joachim van Sandrart, whom he accompanied to
Amsterdam in 1637 and to England in 1640. In this country he
came into friendly relations with Van Dyck, whom he took as
his model in the art of portraiture. Merian also travelled in
France and Italy. As a portrait-painter he was much patronised
by the German princes and also by the Emperor Leopold I. He
also painted religious and historical pictures, such as the
"Martyrdom of St. Lawrence," for the high altar of Bamberg
Cathedral, and the "Resurrection," in the Library of Bâle.
This picture was formerly ascribed to Van Dyck. The man's dress is of
black velvet, of the fashion of about 1665-70.