Artwork
Burgomaster Jan van Duren (1613–1687)
Burgomaster Jan van Duren (1613–1687) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard ter Borch. It dates from 1666 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The painting is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of the Robert Lehman collection.
Executed in oil paint on canvas, the portrait measures 81.5 cm in height by 65.5 cm in width. The work is classified as a painting within the portrait genre, consistent with Gerard ter Borch the Younger's refined handling of oil-based pigments on a woven support. As a formal portrait, it reflects the controlled brushwork and polished surface finish associated with ter Borch's mid-career production, with the canvas providing a stable ground for the finely modeled depiction of the burgomaster. The painting is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of the Robert Lehman collection.
History & Provenance
The portrait Burgomaster Jan van Duren (1613–1687) was painted by Gerard ter Borch in 1666, as indicated by the work’s documented inception year and the artist’s known activity during that period. The painting was commissioned to commemorate Jan van Duren, who served as burgomaster in Zwolle, Netherlands. Following its creation, the work entered the collection of Robert Lehman, a prominent American art collector. Later, it became part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings, where it remains located.
Gerard ter Borch's 1666 portrait of Burgomaster Jan van Duren is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work, executed in oil on canvas, measures 81.5 by 65.5 centimeters. Its provenance includes ownership by Robert Lehman prior to its accession by the museum.
The painting depicts the Dutch magistrate and is classified within the museum's holdings as a portrait from the Dutch Golden Age. While the specific inventory number is not detailed in the provided records, its current location and previous private ownership by Lehman are documented facts regarding its institutional history.
Overview
Gerard ter Borch's 1666 oil painting presents Burgomaster Jan van Duren, a notable figure of his time. This work exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age tradition of portraiture, an era when capturing individual character was highly valued. The artist, known for his nuanced approach, crafted a formal yet insightful depiction of the sitter. The painting is currently held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Jan van Duren standing with a dignified posture, dressed in a black cloak and a crisp white collar. His long, curly brown hair frames a composed expression, while he holds gloves in one hand and adjusts his cloak with the other. The setting, featuring a red tablecloth and a black hat on a nearby table against a plain wall, contributes to the formal and serious atmosphere, underscoring the burgomaster's status.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Gerard ter Borch (Dutch:; December 1617 – 8 December 1681), also known as Gerard Terburg (Dutch: ), was a Dutch Golden Age painter mainly of genre subjects.
