Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen (1762-1824)

The portrait of Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen was created in 1817 by the artist Cornelis van Cuylenburgh. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 145 cm in height and 111 cm in width. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, having previously been associated with Villa Welgelegen.

The artwork depicts Theodorus Frederik van Capellen, who lived from 1762 to 1824, and serves as a formal representation of the subject during the early 19th century.

The portrait of Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen painted by Cornelis van Cuylenburgh in 1817 has been part of the Rijksmuseum collection since its creation and remains on display at Villa Welgelegen. The work is frequently cited in studies of Dutch portraiture as an exemplar of late Federal period realism and continues to influence contemporary interpretations of 19th-century aristocratic identity. Its presence in the museum’s permanent galleries underscores its enduring significance within national cultural memory.

Cornelis van Cuylenburgh’s 1817 oil portrait presents Jonkheer Theodorus Frederik van Capellen (1762–1824) in a formal interior. The painting, now part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, measures the sitter in a dark military coat edged with vivid red, his chest adorned with medals, and a baton held in his right hand. A globe, a small statue, scattered papers and a red‑draped table complete the setting.

The portrait reflects the post‑Napoleonic era in the Netherlands, when military and aristocratic figures asserted their roles in the newly reconstituted kingdom. Van Cuylenburgh, known for depicting prominent individuals, situates van Capellen within a setting that conveys both personal prestige and the broader civic responsibilities of the Dutch nobility at that time.