What movement is Portrait of Dr. Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, Physician and Biographer?

Portrait of Dr. Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, Physician and Biographer is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Dr. Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, Physician and Biographer?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Dr. Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, Physician and Biographer are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Dr. Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, Physician and Biographer

Jan Adam Kruseman , 1833

Portrait of Dr. Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, Physician and Biographer is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Jan Adam Kruseman. It dates from 1833 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Portrait of Dr.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, a physician and biographer active in the early nineteenth century.

The portrait depicts Dr. Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, a physician and biographer active in the early nineteenth century. Painted in 1833 by Jan Adam Kruseman, the work is a conventional three-quarter-length portrait that emphasizes the sitter’s professional identity through sober attire and direct engagement with the viewer. The restrained palette and careful rendering of facial features align with Dutch portrait conventions of the period, underscoring à Roy’s status without overt symbols of office.

As a physician and biographer, à Roy’s portrayal likely served to commemorate both his public role and scholarly contributions within contemporary Dutch society.

Technique & Style

The portrait is executed in oil paint on a canvas support measuring 34 cm in height and 28 cm in width.

Handling aligns with the restrained realism typical of Dutch portraiture of the 1830s, characterized by smooth modeling of the face and controlled brushwork that avoids visible impasto. The sitter’s features are rendered with careful attention to physiognomic detail, while the subdued palette and controlled lighting emphasize a dignified, understated presence. The composition centers on the bust, with the figure turned slightly to the left, directing focus toward the subject’s expression and attire.

No specific condition issues are reported in the sources.

History & Provenance

The portrait is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, with additional records associating it with Museum Boerhaave. Created in 1833, the work is executed in oil on canvas and measures 34 cm in height by 28 cm in width. While the painting is attributed to Jan Adam Kruseman and linked to these Dutch institutions, the available records do not list a specific inventory number or detail any past exhibitions for this specific facet.

Overview

Portrait of Dr. Cornelis Hendrik à Roy, Physician and Biographer is an 1833 oil painting by Jan Adam Kruseman, a Dutch artist known for his portraits. The work exemplifies the Biedermeier style, characterized by detailed and restrained depictions.

Context

The painting reflects the Biedermeier movement's emphasis on middle-class values and the quiet, intimate portrayal of individuals, often highlighting their professions or achievements.

Professor, dr. med. J.D. Herholdt, David Monies

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Artist & collection

Artist

Jan Adam Kruseman

Jan Adam Kruseman (12 February 1804 – 17 March 1862) was a Dutch painter, known primarily for his portraits, although he also did landscapes and genre scenes.