Focus on Portrait of an African Man and explore the Subject.
If it is a portrait of a specific real individual, it appears to be the earliest known such painting of a black man in European painting.  An African Man, a portrait by Albrecht Dürer in the Albertina in Vienna, might be earlier, with a possible date of 1508, but it is a charcoal drawing.
The Rijksmuseum, who own the painting, have said that it might be Christophle le More (Christopher the Moor), a black archer recorded at the court of the Habsburg emperor Charles V. This theory could be supported by the badge of the Virgin on his cap, which would be a souvenir from a pilgrimage to Halle.
He has also been said to be a member of the entourage of Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy at her court in Mechelen. The posture, clothing and other details could indicate service at a European court and adaptation to their norms. The English historian Kate Lowe therefore argues he is a nobleman in the service of a visitor to the court at Mechelen, or such a visitor himself. Other scholars suggest that the insignia on his hat and bag may indicate possible Spanish or Portuguese origins.In 2013, Wim Pijbes, in a discussion on the Dutch folklore figure Zwarte Piet and his origins, mentions the Portrait of an African Man, saying that the figure of Zwarte Piet is traceable to at least the 16th century, and the proud black figure depicted wearing a velvet jacket and a beret shows attributes nowadays associated with the figure of Zwarte Piet.
Albertina Wim Pijbes beret Dutch Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy Zwarte Piet Rijksmuseum Charles V Mechelen Albrecht Dürer Halle