This remarkably well-preserved painting is unparalleled in Gossaert's oeuvre in terms of its ambitious composition and meticulous execution. It has recently been suggested that the man, who looks out at the viewer with a somewhat haughty, self-assured demeanor and is surrounded by a variety of objects pertaining to his daily business, is Jan Jacobsz. Snoeck (1510-1585). Of noble descent, Snoeck held several official functions in the town of Gorinchem and important positions related to the collection of river tolls. Examination with infrared reflectography revealed an unusual amount and variety of preparatory underdrawing, which is not the case in most of Gossaert's portraits. The work was extremely carefully handled, from the ground up to the final painted layers, which indicates the importance of the commission and its undoubtedly high price. (http://www.metmuseum.org)