Artwork

Portrait of Matheus de Casteleyn, Priest and Rhetorician in Oudenaarde

Portrait of Matheus de Casteleyn, Priest and Rhetorician in Oudenaarde 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

Technique & Style

Executed in 1750 by Jan Maurits Quinkhard, this portrait is an oil painting applied to a copper support.

Executed in 1750 by Jan Maurits Quinkhard, this portrait is an oil painting applied to a copper support. The work is characterized by its diminutive scale, measuring 11 cm in height and 9.5 cm in width. As a formal portrait, the piece utilizes the smooth, non-absorbent surface of the metal plate, a medium that typically allows for fine detail and a luminous finish in the handling of the oil pigments.

History & Provenance

The portrait was created in 1750 by the Dutch artist Jan Maurits Quinkhard, executed in oil on copper in a small format measuring 11 by 9.5 cm. It depicts Matheus de Casteleyn, identified as a priest and rhetorician based in Oudenaarde. The work is now held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains located. No further details regarding the original commission, intermediate ownership, or acquisition history are documented in the available sources.

Portrait of Matheus de Casteleyn, Priest and Rhetorician in Oudenaarde, painted by Jan Maurits Quinkhard in 1750 on copper, is accessioned as SK-A-1070 in the Rijksmuseum collection. It has been exhibited as part of the museum’s portrait series, highlighting 18th-century Oudenaarde civic figures.

The work remains on view in the Rijksmuseum’s permanent collection display of Dutch and Flemish portraits.

Overview

Portrait of Matheus de Casteleyn, Priest and Rhetorician in Oudenaarde is a copper-painted portrait created by Jan Maurits Quinkhard around 1750. Characterized by refined decorative qualities, it aligns with the Rococo movement's aesthetic.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Matheus de Casteleyn, a priest and rhetorician from Oudenaarde, in a formal yet individualized manner. His attire, a black robe with a high collar and visible white cuff, signifies his profession and status.

Context

This portrait reflects the Rococo movement's influence on Quinkhard's work, characterized by its decorative and refined qualities. The subject's portrayal also highlights the cultural significance of clerical and intellectual figures during this time.

Legacy

While the broader impact or notable exhibitions of this specific portrait are not detailed, it contributes to the understanding of Quinkhard's oeuvre and the Rococo style in 18th-century Dutch art.