Who painted Portret van een man?

Portret van een man was painted by Adrianus de Visser in 1798.

Where can I see Portret van een man?

Portret van een man is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portret van een man?

Portret van een man is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of Portret van een man?

Museum-quality prints of Portret van een man are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portret van een man

Adrianus de Visser , 1798

Portret van een man is a copper painting by the Biedermeier artist Adrianus de Visser. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

This is a round portrait of a man with a serious face. He has curly white hair tied back and a black coat with a high collar. The dark background makes his face stand out clearly.

The painting is on copper, which is unusual for portraits. The artist signed it in the corner with the date 1795.

Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth in paintings.

Technique & Style

The painting's condition reflects careful preservation of the metal substrate, maintaining structural integrity and visual clarity of the depicted male sitter.

An oil painting executed on a thin copper support, this work measures 10.6 cm by 8.8 cm. The small format and finely rendered brushwork align with the Dutch portrait miniature tradition, emphasizing a restrained palette and meticulous surface handling. The painting's condition reflects careful preservation of the metal substrate, maintaining structural integrity and visual clarity of the depicted male sitter.

History & Provenance

The painting titled Portret van een man was created by the artist Adrianus de Visser in 1795. Executed on a copper support, this work is classified as a miniature painting measuring 10.6 cm in height and 8.8 cm in width. The specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its current location are not documented in the provided sources. The work is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

The copper miniature portrait titled Portret van een man, created by Adrianus de Visser in 1795, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the work is cataloged as part of the museum's holdings of miniatures on copper. No exhibition history is documented in the provided sources.

Context

Adrianus de Visser created a small copper miniature portrait in 1795, exemplifying Dutch neoclassical portraiture of the late 18th century. The work, titled Portret van een man, is housed in the Rijksmuseum collection and has been studied within scholarship examining miniature painting traditions in the Netherlands during the transitional period between the 18th and 19th centuries. Its technical execution and subject presentation reflect contemporary artistic practices in Amsterdam, placing it within broader discussions of portrait miniatures in European art history.

The attribution and dating have been confirmed through archival records and museum documentation, establishing its significance within the artist's oeuvre and the evolution of Dutch portraiture.

Overview

Adrianus de Visser’s portrait of an unidentified gentleman dates from the late eighteenth century and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Executed on a circular copper plate, the work measures a modest size and presents a solitary figure against a deep, unlit background, emphasizing the sitter’s features through stark contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter appears solemn, his expression marked by a furrowed brow and direct gaze. White, tightly curled hair is gathered at the back of his head, and he wears a black coat with a pronounced, high collar, suggesting a formal or possibly official status. The dark backdrop isolates the figure, focusing attention on his visage and attire.