Two Portrait Studies of Philip Porter

This sketch prepares the figure of Philip Porter in the family portrait. A more worked out and probably later study for the same painting is shown here. Taken together, the studies present a unique case in Van Dyck’s extant oeuvre, one that suggests the artist prepared the poses of these sitters with greater care than is documented for other portraits. The verso of the drawing contains Van Dyck’s study of the costume worn by Philip’s oldest brother, George, in the same painting.