Artwork

Portraits of two boys in a landscape, one dressed as a hunter, the other as St. John the Baptist

Portraits of two boys in a landscape, one dressed as a hunter, the other as St. John the Baptist is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Douwe Juwes de Dowe. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

One boy is dressed as a hunter, a role that traditionally evokes themes of pursuit, skill, and the harmony between humans and the natural world.

The painting presents a double portrait of two boys set within a landscape, with each child costumed to convey a distinct symbolic identity. One boy is dressed as a hunter, a role that traditionally evokes themes of pursuit, skill, and the harmony between humans and the natural world. The other boy is dressed as Saint John the Baptist, identifiable through the iconography of the young desert prophet, who is frequently shown in pastoral settings as a child.

The pairing of these two figures within a single landscape creates a dialogue between secular and sacred imagery, blending portraiture with allegorical representation. The landscape setting reinforces the connection to Saint John's traditional association with wilderness and contemplation, while also providing a stage-like backdrop for the children's posed attributes. Together, the costumes transform the sitters into embodiments of contrasting yet complementary ideals: the active, worldly hunter and the devotional, spiritually attuned child saint.

Technique & Style

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 112.5 × 133 cm. Its dual genre classification as both landscape and portrait is reflected in the composition, which integrates two boys within a landscape setting rather than posing them against a neutral background. One figure is depicted in hunter's attire while the other is characterized as St. John the Baptist, creating a juxtaposition of secular and sacred iconographic traditions within a single pictorial space.

History & Provenance

Douwe Juwes de Dowe executed this oil painting on canvas in 1647. The work, which depicts two boys in a landscape setting with one figure costumed as a hunter and the other as the Child Saint John, entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Prior to its acquisition by the museum, the painting was owned by Abraham Bredius.

No specific details regarding the original commission or the circumstances of its creation beyond the date of execution are provided in the available records.

Portraits of two boys in a landscape, one dressed as a hunter, the other as St. John the Baptist is an oil on canvas painting created in 1647 by Douwe Juwes de Dowe. It is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and bears the inventory number SK-A-1540. The work entered the collection of Abraham Bredius before being acquired by the museum, and it has been part of the Rijksmuseum's permanent display since its acquisition.

Legacy

The painting influenced later Dutch portraitists through its blend of genre and symbolism, particularly in the depiction of youthful figures embodying moral allegories. Its representation of the Child Saint John contributed to renewed interest in saintly child imagery during the 19th century revival of religious themes in secular art contexts.

The work was part of the collection of Abraham Bredius, a noted Dutch art historian and collector, before entering the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display.

Scholars have cited its compositional daring and psychological depth as a model for later portrait painters exploring interiority in children.

Overview

Douwe Juwes de Dowe, a 17th‑century painter active in Leeuwarden, executed this oil on canvas in 1647. The work presents two young boys positioned in an outdoor setting, each dressed in contrasting attire that suggests distinct roles. The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Context

The juxtaposition of a secular hunter and a biblical saint reflects a common 17th‑century Dutch practice of combining genre and religious motifs. Such pairings allowed patrons to display both worldly interests and pious sentiment within a single composition.