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Artwork

Portrait of Reinier de Klerk (1710-80), Gouverneur-generaal (1777-80)

Franciscus Josephus Fricot , 1789

Portrait of Reinier de Klerk (1710-80), Gouverneur-generaal (1777-80) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Franciscus Josephus Fricot. It dates from 1789 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work shows Reynier de Klerck in his official role as Gouverneur-generaal of the Dutch East Indies, wearing the insignia of his position.

The work shows Reynier de Klerck in his official role as Gouverneur-generaal of the Dutch East Indies, wearing the insignia of his position. The composition emphasizes authority through the upright posture and the presence of a sash and medal associated with the governorship. The portrait functions as a political statement of Dutch colonial power, linking personal status to imperial administration.

Symbolic elements include the scepter and map in the background, which reference control over distant territories. The realistic rendering of facial features underscores the subject’s status as a competent administrator rather than an idealized figure. Together these details convey both individual distinction and the broader imperial narrative.

Technique & Style

Created in 1777 by Franciscus Josephus Fricot, this portrait of Reinier de Klerk is executed in oil paint on a bronze support. The work measures 105 cm in height and 90 cm in width. Stylistically, it is classified as a portrait genre piece depicting the subject, Reynier de Klerck, in his capacity as Governor-General.

The combination of oil paint applied to a metal support represents a specific material choice for this commemorative image.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Reinier de Klerk was created in 1777 by the artist Franciscus Josephus Fricot. The work depicts de Klerk, who served as Governor-General from 1777 until his death in 1780. Executed using oil paint and bronze, the painting measures 105 cm in height and 90 cm in width. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains located.

The portrait is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, as recorded in the Wikidata entry for the work. The painting, executed in oil on canvas, is housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources.

No exhibition history is documented in the sources consulted.

Overview

Created in 1789 by Franciscus Josephus Fricot, this bronze portrait depicts Reinier de Klerk, who served as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies from 1777 to 1780. The work captures the subject in a formal, three-quarter standing pose, characteristic of late 18th-century official portraiture. De Klerk is dressed in period attire, wearing a black coat over a yellow waistcoat and a white ruffled shirt.

His left hand rests on his hip while his right arm leans against a chair, conveying a stance of authority and composure. Behind him, a red curtain provides a rich backdrop, from which hangs a crest featuring a black bird, likely symbolizing his colonial office or personal heraldry. Fricot, known for his work in the Dutch Republic, executed this piece shortly after de Klerk's tenure, solidifying the subject's legacy in the visual record of the Dutch colonial administration.

The sculpture demonstrates Fricot's skill in rendering fabric textures and human anatomy in metal, serving as a commemorative object for a key figure in the history of the Dutch East India Company.

Context

Reinier de Klerk governed the Dutch East Indies during a period of expanding trade and colonial administration. Portraits such as this were commissioned to affirm the legitimacy and prestige of colonial officials, reinforcing their status both at home and abroad.