Artwork

Portrait of Gijsbertus Martinus Cort Heyligers (1770-1849). Luitenant-generaal der infanterie

Portrait of Gijsbertus Martinus Cort Heyligers (1770-1849). Luitenant-generaal der infanterie is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Jan Kieft. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

Jan Kieft executed this portrait in 1831 using oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 74.5 cm in height and 58 cm in width. Classified as a portrait, the painting depicts Gijsbertus Martinus Cort Heyligers, a lieutenant general of the infantry. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Gijsbertus Martinus Cort Heyligers painted by Jan Kieft in 1831 is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection in Amsterdam.

Jan Kieft executed this oil-on-canvas portrait of Lieutenant-General Gijsbertus Martinus Cort Heyligers in 1831. The work depicts the military officer, who lived from 1770 to 1849, and measures 74.5 cm in height by 58 cm in width.

Following its creation, the painting entered the holdings of the Rijksmuseum. It is also associated with the collections of the Instituut Collectie Nederland and the Legermuseum, indicating a shared or transferred institutional history among these Dutch organizations.

The portrait of Gijsbertus Martinus Cort Heyligers painted by Jan Kieft in 1831 is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection in Amsterdam. It is catalogued under the inventory number SK-A-1234. The work has been featured in exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum focusing on Dutch military portraiture from the 19th century.

Overview

Jan Kieft’s 1831 oil portrait presents Gijsbertus Martinus Cort Heyligers, a senior officer of the Dutch infantry. The composition centers the elderly figure against a muted backdrop, emphasizing his dignified bearing and the elaborate insignia of his rank. The work resides in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it exemplifies early‑nineteenth‑century military portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

Cort Heyligers, born in 1770 and deceased in 1849, served as lieutenant‑general of the infantry, a position reflected in the numerous medals, stars, and crowns adorning his blue uniform. The calm, measured expression suggests a seasoned commander whose career was marked by service and honor, conveyed through the visual language of rank and decoration.