Suitbertus Hendriksz. Purmerent (1587 - 1650), was born in The Hague and became a Roman Catholic priest in 1615. The identification of the sitter is confirmed by another portrait of him by van der Vliet (Delft, Begijnhof).

This portrait was probably painted to mark his appointment as archpriest of Delfland in February 1631. In 1631 he was 44 years old, and not 45, as is stated in the inscription. He holds a biretta in his right hand.