Artwork
Portrait of Bernardus de Bosch I, Poet in Panpoeticon Batavum

Portrait of Bernardus de Bosch I, Poet in Panpoeticon Batavum is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jan Maurits Quinkhard. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Bernardus de Bosch I, a Dutch poet, in the context of the Panpoeticon Batavum, a late 18th-century Dutch genre that celebrated poets through emblematic portraiture. Quinkhard’s rendering emphasizes the sitter’s identity as a man of letters, aligning with the Panpoeticon’s purpose of immortalizing notable poets through individualized yet emblematic representations. The small copper support and refined execution suggest a work intended for private or scholarly circulation rather than public display, underscoring its role in poetic commemoration.
Technique & Style
The handling is precise and linear, consistent with Quinkhard’s portrait practice, emphasizing clear contours and controlled modeling of the sitter’s features.
The painting is executed in oil on copper, a support associated with refined, small-scale portraiture in the Dutch tradition of the mid-eighteenth century. The handling is precise and linear, consistent with Quinkhard’s portrait practice, emphasizing clear contours and controlled modeling of the sitter’s features. The composition is tightly framed, with the poet depicted bust-length and turned slightly to the left, resting his chin on his right hand in a reflective pose.
The work’s condition is not documented here, but the use of copper as a support typically contributes to the stability and fine detail retention observed in the image.
History & Provenance
Jan Maurits Quinkhard created the portrait of Bernardus de Bosch in 1750. The work is an oil painting executed on a copper support, measuring 11 cm in height and 9.5 cm in width. It was produced for inclusion in the Panpoeticon Batavum, a collection of portraits of Dutch poets.
Historical records indicate the piece was once owned by Arnoud van Halen and Michiel de Roode before entering the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
The portrait is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Earlier owners of the work include Arnoud van Halen and Michiel de Roode. The provided sources do not contain information regarding a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they list any exhibitions in which the painting has been displayed.
Overview
Created around 1750 by Dutch artist Jan Maurits Quinkhard, Portrait of Bernardus de Bosch I, Poet in Panpoeticon Batavum is a copper painting featuring the likeness of Bernardus de Bosch, a poet of the time.
Context
The use of chiaroscuro, evident in the contrast between the softly lit face and the dark background, places this work within broader European artistic trends of the 18th century, emphasizing dramatic lighting effects.
Legacy
While specific influences or subsequent artistic impacts of this piece are not detailed, it remains a representative example of 18th-century Dutch Rococo portraiture, showcasing Quinkhard's skill in capturing the essence of his sitters.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Maurits Quinkhard (28 January 1688 – 11 November 1772) was an 18th-century painter and print designer from the Dutch Republic.


















