Bartholomeus van der Helst Self-portrait Oil on canvas : 96,5 X 99 cm Signed and dated “1655” lower centre Toledo, Museum of Art
This unusual, amazingly proud-hearted, somehow disturbing portrait of a very confident man dates from the third quarter of the seventeenth century.
I do not know of any equally intensely painted representation in Flemish, Dutch, French or English Baroque painting.
According to Fred Meijer, the painter could possibly come from Denmark or Germany: a mystery.