Who painted Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72)?

Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72) was painted by Jan van Ravesteyn in 1621.

Where can I see Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72)?

Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72) is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72)?

Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72) is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72)

Jan van Ravesteyn , 1621

Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny (1517-72) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan van Ravesteyn. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This portrait, painted in oil, depicts a 17th-century historical figure.

About this work

Technique & Style

The handling shows smooth, blended transitions in the modeling of the face, with careful attention to the fall of light across the sitter’s features.

The painting is executed in oil on a wooden panel support. The handling shows smooth, blended transitions in the modeling of the face, with careful attention to the fall of light across the sitter’s features. The costume is rendered with precise, linear detailing, particularly in the lace collar and embroidered garment, which contrasts with the softer treatment of the flesh tones. The small format and crisp execution suggest a cabinet-sized portrait intended for private circulation.

The condition is noted as stable, with no major losses reported in the visible passages.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted by Jan van Ravesteyn in 1621, as indicated by the artist’s inscription and the date on the work. It entered the collection of Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange, whose ownership is documented in the painting’s early provenance. By the early twentieth century, the portrait had transferred to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains in the National Art Gallery of the Netherlands’ holdings.

The work’s creation coincides with the genre’s broader seventeenth-century Dutch tradition of commemorative portraiture, though no direct commission record survives.

The Portrait of Gaspard de Coligny is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is displayed at the Stadhouderlijk Hof. Originally part of the collection of Maurice of Nassau, the work was created in 1621 by Jan van Ravesteyn. The painting is executed in oil on panel, measuring 29.9 cm in height and 24.2 cm in width.

The provided sources do not contain specific details regarding the artwork's accession number or a record of its exhibition history.

Context

The critical reception and scholarship of this portrait have been shaped by its provenance and attribution history. Early records indicate it was owned by Maurice of Nassau after passing through the collection of the States of Holland, establishing a documented lineage that has informed art historical analysis. Scholars have examined its stylistic elements, particularly the rendering of facial features and period-accurate attire, to contextualize the work within Jan van Ravesteyn's broader oeuvre of 17th-century Dutch portraiture.

Its inclusion in major institutional collections, such as the Rijksmuseum, has further solidified its significance as a representative example of early Dutch Golden Age portrait painting, reflecting evolving artistic techniques and the cultural prominence of civic and aristocratic subjects.

Overview

This portrait, painted in oil, depicts a 17th-century historical figure. Created by Jan van Ravesteyn, it is a representation of a notable individual from the past.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is Gaspard de Coligny, a French nobleman who lived from 1517 to 1572. His serious expression and direct gaze convey a sense of gravitas, while his attire suggests a high social status.