Who painted Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family?

Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family was painted by Jan Stolker in 1757-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family?

Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family?

Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family

Jan Stolker , 1757

Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jan Stolker. It dates from 1757 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Symbolic elements such as fine clothing and a modest interior setting highlight bourgeois respectability in mid‑18th‑century Dutch society.

The painting shows the merchant Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet together with his wife and three children, a conventional family portrait that emphasizes domestic stability and social standing. The composition places the parents centrally while the children flank them, underscoring the continuity of lineage. Symbolic elements such as fine clothing and a modest interior setting highlight bourgeois respectability in mid‑18th‑century Dutch society.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 185 cm by 150 cm, created in 1757. It depicts a family group and was executed by Jan Stolker, who employed traditional oil paint techniques on a rectangular canvas support. The composition follows 18th‑century portrait conventions, presenting the subjects in a formal arrangement that emphasizes their social standing.

History & Provenance

The work was painted in 1757 by Jan Stolker, depicting the merchant Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his family. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display in the Gallery of Honour. The painting was created as a commissioned family portrait, reflecting the subject’s status in 18th‑century Dutch society. Technical analysis confirms an oil on canvas format measuring 185 cm by 150 cm.

The Portrait of Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet and his Family has been held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam since its acquisition. The painting is cataloged under the museum's inventory, though its specific accession number is not publicly detailed in available sources.

The work has been part of the Rijksmuseum's collection display, though its exhibition history beyond the permanent collection context is not extensively documented in the provided sources. Its dimensions, 185 × 150 cm, confirm its prominent scale within the museum's holdings.

Overview

Jan Stolker’s 1757 oil painting presents Theodorus Bisdom van Vliet’s household assembled outdoors. The composition features nine figures arranged before a stone pedestal crowned with a classical statue, set against a gentle landscape of rolling hills and trees. The work exemplifies the Rococo taste for informal group portraiture, combining portraiture with a staged, almost theatrical setting.

Context

The work reflects the Dutch elite’s adoption of Rococo aesthetics, merging domestic portraiture with classical references. Group portraits of families were common among the mercantile and professional classes, serving both as a record of lineage and a display of cultural refinement. The inclusion of a classical statue aligns with contemporary interests in antiquity and the Enlightenment’s emphasis on education.