Artwork

Portrait of Antonie Frederick Jan Floris Jacob Baron van Omphal (1788-1863), luitenant-generaal

Portrait of Antonie Frederick Jan Floris Jacob Baron van Omphal (1788-1863), luitenant-generaal is an oil painting by the Realist artist Herman Antonie de Bloeme. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on canvas. It depicts Antonie Frederick Jan Floris Jacob Baron van Omphal, a lieutenant general, and was created in 1854. The portrait measures 131 cm in height and 106 cm in width. It is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is classified as a portrait painting.

History & Provenance

The painting's creation history is anchored to its 1854 completion, aligning with the subject's lifetime (1788–1863) and the artist's active period.

The portrait was created in 1854 by Herman Antonie de Bloeme, commissioned to depict the Dutch military officer Antonie Frederick Jan Floris Jacob Baron van Omphal. It is an oil painting on canvas measuring 131 cm in height and 106 cm in width, classified as a portrait within the Rijksmuseum's collection. The work entered the museum's holdings as part of its permanent collection, reflecting its historical significance and preservation within a national institution.

The painting's creation history is anchored to its 1854 completion, aligning with the subject's lifetime (1788–1863) and the artist's active period. Its dimensions and medium are consistently documented across sources, confirming its physical attributes and artistic classification.

The ownership chain is straightforward, with the Rijksmuseum serving as the current and sole documented custodian, indicating a direct transfer from the artist or original commissioning context to the museum's collection without recorded intermediaries.

The portrait is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the work is cataloged within the museum's holdings of 19th-century Dutch painting. The piece, created by Herman Antonie de Bloeme in 1854, depicts Antonie Frederik Jan Floris Jacob van Omphal. No exhibition history is documented in the provided sources.

Overview

The work is an oil on canvas portrait executed in 1854 by Dutch painter Herman Antonie de Bloeme. It presents Lieutenant‑General Antonie Frederick Jan Floris Jacob van Omphal (1788–1863) in full military regalia. The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies mid‑nineteenth‑century official portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

Van Omphal, a baron and senior officer of the Dutch army, is shown in a dark uniform adorned with numerous medals, indicating a distinguished career. His solemn gaze and upright posture convey the authority and discipline expected of a high‑ranking commander, while the restrained composition underscores his public role rather than personal intimacy.

Context

Mid‑nineteenth‑century Dutch portraiture often served state and aristocratic purposes, documenting the nation’s military elite. De Bloeme’s work aligns with contemporary conventions that emphasized rank through uniform detail and medal display, reflecting the period’s emphasis on visual symbols of honor and national identity.