Artwork
'Every one his fancy'
'Every one his fancy' is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Godfried Schalcken. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
It represents a genre scene emphasizing private leisure and domestic interiors, characteristic of Schalcken's work in the Leiden school.
The painting depicts a domestic scene of a man engrossed in his private pursuits, reflecting the everyday activities of the Dutch middle class in the late 17th century. It represents a genre scene emphasizing private leisure and domestic interiors, characteristic of Schalcken's work in the Leiden school. The composition showcases meticulous attention to interior lighting and material detail, typical of genre painting of the period.
The scene illustrates a man absorbed in his personal interests, likely reading or studying, within a richly appointed interior that conveys domestic stability and cultural refinement. This subject matter aligns with the genre painting tradition of capturing everyday activities within bourgeois households, highlighting themes of private life and material comfort.
The work is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection in Amsterdam, acquired from Adriaan Leonard van Heteren Gevers as part of the Kabinet van Heteren Gevers bequest.
History & Provenance
The painting Every one his fancy by Godfried Schalcken is dated to 1670.
It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum as part of the Kabinet van Heteren Gevers. The work was previously owned by Adriaan Leonard van Heteren Gevers, whose collection formed the core of this cabinet. The painting is executed in oil on panel and measures 42.5 cm in height and 31.5 cm in width.
Every one his fancy is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is part of the Kabinet van Heteren Gevers collection. The painting was formerly owned by Adriaan Leonard van Heteren Gevers, whose bequest forms the basis of this cabinet. No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Context
Godfried Schalcken painted 'Every one his fancy' in 1670 as an oil work on panel measuring 42.5 cm by 31.5 cm. The painting belongs to the genre_scene category and depicts a scene featuring multiple figures expressing individual preferences. It was created during Schalcken's mature period while he worked in the Dutch Republic, reflecting the era's interest in everyday moments rendered with technical precision. Currently housed in the Rijksmuseum's Kabinet van Heteren Gevers collection, the work exemplifies the artist's exploration of psychological nuance within small-scale compositions.
Overview
Created in 1670 by the Dutch painter Godfried Schalcken, Every one his fancy is an oil painting that exemplifies the intimate genre scenes popular during the Dutch Golden Age. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and showcases Schalcken’s reputation for finely detailed, candlelit interiors.
Technique & Style
Schalcken employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing a warm, soft light to emerge from an unseen source and illuminate the faces and objects. The dark background and the faint suggestion of a window or doorway enhance the sense of depth, while the meticulous brushwork reflects the refined approach of the Leiden fijnschilders.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Godfried Schalcken (8 October 1643 – 16 November 1706) was a Dutch artist who specialized in genre paintings and portraits.
