Artwork
Portrait of gouverneur-generaal Jeremias van Riemsdijk

Portrait of gouverneur-generaal Jeremias van Riemsdijk is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Franciscus Josephus Fricot. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created in 1775 by Franciscus Josephus Fricot, this portrait is executed in oil paint on a brass support. The work measures 109.5 cm in height and 93 cm in width. As a formal portrait, it depicts Jeremias van Riemsdijk, the Governor-General, utilizing the metallic plate as the foundational surface for the oil application.
History & Provenance
Executed in oil paint on a brass support, the work was produced during van Riemsdijk's tenure as governor-general of the Dutch East Indies.
The portrait of Jeremias van Riemsdijk was created by Franciscus Josephus Fricot in 1775. Executed in oil paint on a brass support, the work was produced during van Riemsdijk's tenure as governor-general of the Dutch East Indies. The painting is now held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains part of the institution's holdings.
No information about a commissioning party, intermediate ownership, or transfer history between the sitter's era and the museum's acquisition is documented in the available sources.
Overview
Created in 1775, this three‑dimensional portrait of Jeremias van Riemsdijk was executed by the Dutch artist Franciscus Josephus Fricot. Unlike conventional oil paintings, the work is a relief carved from brass, giving it a metallic sheen that emphasizes the figure’s attire and posture. The piece is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is displayed among other eighteenth‑century Dutch artifacts.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Jeremias van Riemsdijk, served as governor‑general of the Dutch East Indies, a position of considerable authority in the colonial administration. His solemn expression, formal gray coat, and powdered wig convey the gravitas associated with high office, while the rigid stance underscores the disciplined demeanor expected of a colonial official.
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Artist & collection
Artist
This 18th-century Dutch painter specialized in portrait medallions cast in brass, copper, and bronze.








