John Milton

William Faithorne

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts an older man in a classic portrait from the chest up, facing slightly to the left but looking directly at the viewer. He has a serious expression, long, narrow face, and long, wavy hair with a middle part that drapes over his shoulders. The man is dressed in period-appropriate clothing with a collared shirt and wide, thick collar common in the 17th century. He is wrapped in a garment that suggests a cloak or large wrap. There are no visible jewelry or objects in his hands. The background features a detailed, oval engraving surround with intricate linear patterns, typical of historical portraiture. Details around the border indicate the creator and the date as 1670, with the name "Ioannis Miltoni Effigies" at the bottom, suggesting this is a portrait of John Milton.