Artwork

Portrait of Menno van Coehoorn (1641-1704), general in the artillery and fortifications engineer

Portrait of Menno van Coehoorn (1641-1704), general in the artillery and fortifications engineer is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Caspar Netscher. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1700, this oil portrait presents Menno van Coehoorn, the Dutch artillery general and engineer of fortifications.

About this work

Technique & Style

Created in 1700 by Caspar Netscher, this portrait is executed in oil paint on a canvas support.

Created in 1700 by Caspar Netscher, this portrait is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 96 cm in height and 79 cm in width. As a formal portrait, the piece depicts Menno van Coehoorn, a general in the artillery and fortifications engineer, capturing his likeness through the artist's characteristic handling of the medium. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Menno van Coehoorn was painted by Caspar Netscher in 1700, as indicated by the artist’s date and the sitter’s depicted age matching his known lifespan (1641–1704).

The work entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, where it remains held today. The museum’s records list the painting as part of its holdings, with dimensions recorded at 96 cm in height and 79 cm in width, executed in oil on canvas.

The portrait of Menno van Coehoorn, painted by Caspar Netscher in 1700, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work is cataloged as a painting executed in oil on canvas, measuring 96 cm in height and 79 cm in width. The source material identifies the museum as the current location and collection for this specific artwork.

No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available documentation, nor is there any record of past or future exhibitions listed for this piece.

Overview

Created in 1700, this oil portrait presents Menno van Coehoorn, the Dutch artillery general and engineer of fortifications. Executed by Caspar Netscher, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies early‑18th‑century Dutch portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown with dark, curly hair, dressed in a black suit trimmed with lace at the collar and cuffs, and clad in armor accented by a yellow sash. He holds a dark object in his right hand, a pose that conveys his military authority and engineering expertise.

Context

At the turn of the 18th century, Dutch portraiture often highlighted the professional status of its subjects. Van Coehoorn’s reputation as a leading military engineer, known for innovations in fortification design, is reflected in the formal attire and the inclusion of military accoutrements.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Caspar Netscher

Caspar Netscher was a Dutch painter. He was a master in depicting oriental rugs, silk and brocade and introduced an international style to the Northern Netherlands.