Artwork
Portrait of Rogier Le Witer (1591-1678), Merchant in Antwerp
Portrait of Rogier Le Witer (1591-1678), Merchant in Antwerp is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The painting's condition has been assessed as stable, with no documented restorations noted in the Rijksmuseum's collection records.
Jacob Jordaens painted this portrait using oil on canvas, a technique characteristic of 17th-century Flemish portraiture. The work measures 152 cm in height and 118.4 cm in width, executed on a canvas support typical of Rubensian workshop practices. Visible brushwork and rich coloration reflect the Baroque emphasis on texture and chiaroscuro, while the formal composition presents the sitter in a dignified, three-quarter view against a neutral backdrop.
The painting's condition has been assessed as stable, with no documented restorations noted in the Rijksmuseum's collection records. Its stylistic elements, including the rendering of fabric and facial detail, align with Jordaens' mature approach to portraiture, blending realism with the expressive vigor of the Baroque tradition.
History & Provenance
The work was painted in 1635 by Jacob Jordaens, a prominent Flemish artist active during the Dutch Golden Age. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains on public display. The canvas measures 152 centimeters in height and 118.4 centimeters in width, and it is classified as an oil painting on canvas depicting a merchant portrait.
The painting was likely commissioned by a wealthy Antwerp burgher to commemorate his social standing, reflecting the sitter’s prominence in the city’s mercantile community. Its creation aligns with Jordaens’ mature period, characterized by rich coloration and detailed characterization of subjects.
The work’s provenance traces directly from its production in 1635 to its acquisition by the Rijksmuseum, which maintains its current custodianship.
The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, as recorded in its Wikidata entry. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources. The sources do not document any exhibition history for the work.
Overview
This oil painting, created by Jacob Jordaens in 1635, is a portrait of Rogier Le Witer, a merchant from Antwerp.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is depicted seated in an ornate chair, wearing formal attire that includes a black robe and white ruffled collar and cuffs, indicating his status as a person of importance.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques (Jacob) Jordaens (19 May 1593 – 18 October 1678) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and a designer of tapestries and prints.
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