Artwork
Portrait of the actor Gerrit Carel Rombach (1784-1833)
Portrait of the actor Gerrit Carel Rombach (1784-1833) is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Cornelis Kruseman. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The piece serves as a historical document of a specific individual within the Dutch theatrical community of the early nineteenth century.
This 1829 oil painting by Cornelis Kruseman depicts Gerrit Carel Rombach, an actor who lived from 1784 to 1833. As a formal portrait, the work functions primarily as a likeness intended to record the sitter's appearance and professional identity. The composition focuses exclusively on Rombach himself, without incorporating additional allegorical figures or complex symbolic attributes that would suggest a narrative beyond his status as a performer.
The piece serves as a historical document of a specific individual within the Dutch theatrical community of the early nineteenth century.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1829 by Cornelis Kruseman, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 74 cm in height and 61 cm in width. As a formal portrait, it depicts the actor Gerrit Carel Rombach.
The piece is classified within the genre of portraiture and is held in the collections of the Rijksmuseum, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, and the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam.
History & Provenance
The work was painted in 1829 by Cornelis Kruseman. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection, and the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam. The painting depicts the actor Gerrit Carel Rombach and is classified as a portrait. Its dimensions are 74 cm by 61 cm.
Portrait of the actor Gerrit Carel Rombach (1784-1833) is an oil painting by Cornelis Kruseman, created in 1829. It is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and was previously held at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection and the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam.
The work entered the Rijksmuseum's holdings through its acquisition from the Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, where it was originally displayed. It has been exhibited at the Rijksmuseum as part of its portrait collection, though specific exhibition dates are not detailed in the source.
Legacy
The portrait of actor Gerrit Carel Rombach by Cornelis Kruseman has maintained a steady presence in Dutch cultural memory, appearing in exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum and other institutions that trace the evolution of 19th‑century portraiture. Its inclusion in collections such as those held by the Rijksmuseum and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands underscores its recognized historical significance, while scholarly references to the work highlight its role in shaping depictions of theatrical figures in early Dutch art.
Overview
Cornelis Kruseman’s 1829 oil portrait presents the Dutch stage performer Gerrit Carel Rombach (1784–1833). Executed on canvas, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s holdings and exemplifies the Biedermeier preference for personal, interior subjects.
Context
The painting reflects the Biedermeier period’s focus on domestic and personal subjects, moving away from grand historical narratives. By portraying a theatrical figure in a refined setting, Kruseman bridges the world of performance with the private, middle‑class sensibilities that defined early‑nineteenth‑century Dutch art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Kruseman (Dutch pronunciation:; 25 September 1797 – 14 November 1857) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, etcher, lithographer, silhouettist, paper-cut artist, and art collector.
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