Artwork
Portrait of Nicolaes van der Borght. Merchant of Antwerp
Portrait of Nicolaes van der Borght. Merchant of Antwerp is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Andries van Eertvelt. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work’s provenance in major institutions underscores its significance as a representative example of 17th-century portraiture.
The painting portrays Nicolaes van der Borght, a merchant from Antwerp, rendered in the Baroque style as a formal portrait. The subject’s attire and dignified pose reflect his status within the merchant class, while the composition emphasizes individual identity rather than symbolic allegory. The work’s provenance in major institutions underscores its significance as a representative example of 17th-century portraiture.
Technique & Style
Created in 1630, the Portrait of Nicolaes van der Borght is an oil painting executed on canvas. The work measures 201 cm in height and 141 cm in width. Attributed to both Anthony van Dyck and Andries van Eertvelt, the piece is classified within the Baroque movement. As a portrait genre work, it depicts the merchant Nicolaes van der Borght.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Nicolaes van der Borght was created in Antwerp in 1630 as an oil painting on canvas. It was produced by Andries van Eertvelt, who is identified as the primary artist alongside Anthony van Dyck in the work's documentation. The painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains on display, and was previously held by the Mauritshuis in The Hague before relocating to its current institution.
Overview
Andries van Eertvelt, a Flemish painter active in the early 17th century, executed this oil on canvas portrait in 1630. The work presents Nicolaes van der Borght, a merchant from Antwerp, positioned on a balcony and gesturing toward the left. It is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the Flemish Baroque style.
Context
During the early 1600s Antwerp was a major hub of international trade, and merchants like van der Borght played a pivotal role in the city’s economy. Van Eertvelt, better known for seascapes, incorporated his knowledge of ships and harbors into this portrait, linking the sitter’s personal identity to the broader maritime world.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Andries van Eertvelt (1590–1652), was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and engraver who was one of the first Flemish artists to specialize in marine art. Several of his pupils also became prominent marine artists.
