Who painted Portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672)?

Portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672) was painted by Jan de Baen in 1683-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672)?

Portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672) is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672)?

Portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672) is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672)

Jan de Baen , 1692

Portrait of Cornelis de Witt (1623-1672) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan de Baen. It dates from 1692 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Cornelis de Witt, a prominent Dutch statesman who lived from 1623 to 1672. Created by Jan de Baen in 1683, the work functions as a formal portrait of the historical figure. As the main subject, de Witt is presented in a manner consistent with the genre of portraiture, serving to commemorate his identity and legacy within the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1683 by Jan de Baen, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 113.5 cm in height and 85.5 cm in width. As a formal portrait, it depicts the statesman Cornelis de Witt.

The piece is currently held within the collection of the Rijksmuseum, specifically located in the depot of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE).

History & Provenance

The portrait is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam as part of the national collection managed by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.

The painting dates to 1683, when Jan de Baen completed the portrait of Cornelis de Witt posthumously.

It entered the Rijksmuseum collection under the stewardship of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. The work remains in the museum’s holdings, recorded with dimensions of 113.5 cm in height and 85.5 cm in width.

The portrait is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam as part of the national collection managed by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. It is inventoried under accession number SK-C-1971.

It was shown in the exhibition "De Republiek der Letteren" at the Rijksmuseum from 14 September 2019 to 16 February 2020.

Overview

Jan de Baen’s oil portrait of Cornelis de Witt, executed in 1692, presents the 17th‑century Dutch statesman in a formal pose. The sitter stands before a muted red‑brown backdrop, dressed in a brown and gold ensemble with a white lace collar, his right hand gripping a sword. The composition balances the figure’s dark hair and moustache with the warm tones of his clothing, creating a clear, dignified image.

Context

The portrait aligns with de Baen’s broader output of Dutch elite portraiture, echoing the conventions established by his mentor Jacob Adriaensz Backer. It exemplifies the period’s emphasis on civic virtue and personal prestige, situating de Witt within the visual language of 17th‑century Dutch political portraiture.