Artwork
Portrait of Elisabeth Troost (1730-1790)

Portrait of Elisabeth Troost (1730-1790) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a genre portrait, the piece serves primarily as a likeness of the individual rather than a vehicle for broader symbolic meaning or iconographic programs.
The work is a portrait depicting Elisabeth Troost, the daughter of the artist Cornelis Troost. Created in 1767 by Jacobus Buys, the painting presents the sitter as its main subject without additional narrative figures or complex allegorical settings. As a genre portrait, the piece serves primarily as a likeness of the individual rather than a vehicle for broader symbolic meaning or iconographic programs. The focus remains strictly on the representation of Elisabeth Troost herself.
Technique & Style
Created in 1767 by Jacobus Buys, the Portrait of Elisabeth Troost is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support. The work measures 25.3 cm in height and 22.5 cm in width, presenting a compact format typical of intimate portraiture from the period. As a genre painting classified specifically as a portrait, the piece depicts Elisabeth Troost with the formal qualities associated with 18th-century Dutch portraiture.
The medium of oil paint on panel allows for the detailed rendering of the sitter's features within the small dimensions of the artwork.
History & Provenance
The work was created by Jacobus Buys in 1767, as indicated by the inception date. It is an oil painting on panel, measuring 25.3 cm in height and 22.5 cm in width, produced in Amsterdam. The portrait depicts Elisabeth Troost and belongs to the genre of portraiture.
According to the museum records, the painting is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and is displayed there. The sources do not mention any earlier owners, commissioners, or subsequent transfers, so the known provenance begins with its creation and ends with its current location in the Rijksmuseum.
Overview
Portrait of Elisabeth Troost (1730-1790) is an oil painting by Jacobus Buys, dated to 1767, portraying the eponymous subject in elaborate 18th-century attire.
Context
The painting reflects the aesthetic preferences of the 18th century, where portraiture served as a means to display the subject's wealth and status. The use of chiaroscuro also aligns with broader European artistic trends of the time.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of this portrait on art history are not widely documented, it remains a characteristic example of 18th-century Dutch portraiture, offering insights into the era's social and artistic conventions.
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