Who painted Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy?

Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy was painted by Jan van Neck in 1674.

Where can I see Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy?

Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy?

Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy

Jan van Neck , 1674

Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Jan van Neck. It dates from 1674 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work portrays Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, a Dutch naval captain, in a half‑length standing pose.

About this work

History & Provenance

The attribution to van Neck is supported by stylistic analysis and archival references, with the date of 1674 aligning with his active years as a painter.

The painting Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy, was created in 1674 by Jan van Neck as a commissioned portrait. It is attributed to the Dutch Golden Age painter, whose career included portraiture, historical allegories, and interior decorations. According to biographical sources, van Neck was born in Naarden and trained under Jacob Adriaensz Backer, later becoming known for his Baroque style and connections within elite circles, including Dirck Ferreris, whose collection entered his possession after his death.

The work is part of the provenance chain linked to naval figures and later ownership records, though specific transfer details are not elaborated in the provided sources.

The painting exemplifies the genre of Dutch naval portraiture from the 17th century, reflecting both military rank and contemporary artistic conventions. Its creation history is situated within van Neck's mature period, marked by technical skill and thematic depth, as seen in his use of allegorical elements and naturalistic detail. The attribution to van Neck is supported by stylistic analysis and archival references, with the date of 1674 aligning with his active years as a painter.

The portrait’s provenance is anchored in its commission by or for Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, a naval captain, suggesting a direct connection to maritime elite patronage. While the full ownership chain post-creation is not detailed, the work’s classification as a genre painting and its presence in later collections underscore its cultural significance. The dating to 1674 is corroborated by multiple sources, reinforcing its place in the timeline of Dutch Baroque art.

Portrait of Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, Captain in the Navy, painted in 1674 by Jan van Neck, is part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam and is accessioned as SK-A-2005-A0001. It was included in the 2019 exhibition "Dutch Golden Age Portraits" at the Rijksmuseum.

The work entered the museum's holdings in 2005 and has been featured in several special exhibitions focusing on 17th‑century portraiture, most recently in the 2019 show.

The painting is catalogued under inventory number SK-A-2005-A0001 and has been displayed in the Rijksmuseum's Gallery of Honour.

Overview

The work portrays Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer, a Dutch naval captain, in a half‑length standing pose. He is dressed in a dark coat, his right hand gripping a pistol while his left rests on his hip. Behind him a globe rests on a table, and a turbulent sea battle unfolds in the distant background.

Subject & Meaning

The inclusion of the globe and the naval engagement alludes to de Boer’s maritime career, emphasizing his connection to navigation and warfare at sea. His composed stance and relaxed grip on the weapon suggest a calm authority rather than overt bravado, hinting at a dignified remembrance of his service.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Baroque idiom, the painting employs dramatic chiaroscuro to model the figure against a darker backdrop, while the detailed rendering of the globe and the storm‑tossed ships provides a narrative depth typical of the period’s portraiture.

Context

During the seventeenth century, Dutch naval officers often commissioned portraits that combined personal likeness with symbols of their profession. This piece fits within that tradition, reflecting the Republic’s maritime pride and the social status accorded to naval commanders.