Artwork
Portrait of Jan Jansz Starter (1594-1626)

Portrait of Jan Jansz Starter (1594-1626) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Arnoud van Halen. It dates from 1716 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
History & Provenance
Historical records indicate that the painting was owned by its creator, Arnoud van Halen, before passing into the collection of Michiel de Roode.
The portrait of Jan Jansz Starter was created in 1716 by the artist Arnoud van Halen. Executed in oil paint on a tin support, the work measures 11 cm in height and 9.5 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the painting was owned by its creator, Arnoud van Halen, before passing into the collection of Michiel de Roode. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
The Portrait of Jan Jansz Starter (1594-1626) is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work, an oil painting on tin created by Arnoud van Halen in 1716, is part of the museum's permanent holdings. Specific inventory or accession numbers for this piece are not provided in the available records. No exhibition history is documented in the current sources.
Legacy
The painting has been part of the Rijksmuseum collection since it entered the museum's holdings, ensuring its continued visibility within the Dutch Golden Age portraiture narrative. Its inclusion in the Rijksmuseum's displays reinforces the legacy of Arnoud van Halen as a specialist in portraiture executed on unconventional supports such as tin, a technique documented in contemporary records. The work's presence in a national museum has contributed to renewed scholarly interest in the material experimentation of early 18th-century Dutch artists.
The portrait remains accessible to the public through the Rijksmuseum's online catalogue, supporting research into the representation of Dutch merchant-class figures in the late phase of the Dutch Republic's artistic production. Its provenance, which includes ownership by Michiel de Roode prior to museum acquisition, reflects patterns of art collecting among elite families in the Dutch Republic during the 18th century.
Overview
Created in 1716 by the Dutch artist Arnoud van Halen, this tin portrait presents Jan Jansz. Starter, a figure who lived from 1594 to 1626. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies early‑18th‑century portraiture in a modest, earth‑toned palette.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown in a dark coat trimmed with a white fur collar, his head crowned by a leafy wreath that suggests a classical or allegorical reference. The composition focuses on the individual’s visage, conveying a dignified yet restrained presence typical of commemorative portraits of the period.
Technique & Style
Van Halen employs chiaroscuro, using a strong contrast between illuminated areas on the face and collar and the surrounding shadows to model form and depth. The muted greens and browns of the background recede, allowing the figure to dominate the visual field while maintaining a subtle atmospheric tone.
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