Artwork
Portrait of Jean Fourmenois
Portrait of Jean Fourmenois is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Geldorp Gortzius. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1596, this oil painting portrays a seated gentleman named Jean Fourmenois.
About this work
Technique & Style
The 1590 date places the work within the late Netherlandish tradition, where oil on panel remained the dominant technique for formal portraiture.
The Portrait of Jean Fourmenois is executed in oil paint on a panel support, measuring 96 cm in height by 71 cm in width. The work belongs to the portrait genre, consistent with Geldorp Gortzius's practice as a portraitist. The panel support was standard for Northern European painting of this period, providing a stable ground for the oil medium.
The 1590 date places the work within the late Netherlandish tradition, where oil on panel remained the dominant technique for formal portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1590 by the artist Geldorp Gortzius, this oil painting on panel depicts Jean Fourmenois. The work measures 96 cm in height and 71 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the portrait was once owned by Jacob de Witte van Citters. Today, the painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
The Portrait of Jean Fourmenois is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it forms part of the museum's collection. According to recorded provenance, the painting was previously owned by Jacob de Witte van Citters before entering the Rijksmuseum's holdings.
No specific inventory or accession number is documented in the available sources, and no exhibition history is recorded for the work.
Overview
Created in 1596, this oil painting portrays a seated gentleman named Jean Fourmenois. Executed by the Flemish artist Gortzius Geldorp, who spent much of his career in Germany, the work now belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The composition centers on the sitter against a dark, unadorned backdrop, emphasizing his solemn expression and the sumptuous details of his attire.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a man dressed in a dark, patterned robe with a wide, ruffled collar, his hands positioned deliberately, one grasping a folded document, the other resting on a ledge. The inclusion of the paper suggests a scholarly or administrative role, while the restrained pose and muted background convey a sense of dignity and introspection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gortzius Geldorp (1553–1618) was a Flemish Renaissance artist who was active in Germany where he distinguished himself through his portrait paintings.
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