Who painted Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth?

Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth was painted by Jan Veth in 1893.

Where can I see Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth?

Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth?

Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth

Jan Veth , 1893

Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Jan Veth. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

Veth’s handling is careful and naturalistic, with precise attention to the textures of the sitters’ clothing and the soft modeling of their faces.

The painting is executed in oil paint on canvas, a medium that allowed Jan Veth to build up smooth, blended passages of color. The support is a standard-weight canvas, and the work measures 90.2 × 109.6 cm, a moderate horizontal format suited to the triple portrait. Veth’s handling is careful and naturalistic, with precise attention to the textures of the sitters’ clothing and the soft modeling of their faces.

The composition is balanced and orderly, reflecting the formal portrait tradition of the late 19th century. The condition is typical of a canvas of this period, with the paint layer appearing stable and the surface relatively clean.

History & Provenance

Jan Veth painted this portrait in 1885. The work depicts his sisters Cornelia, Clara, and Johanna Veth. It is executed in oil on canvas and measures 90.2 × 109.6 cm. The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth is held in the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam. It bears the inventory number SK-A-1885-154. The work was exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in 1885 and again in the 1995 exhibition Dutch Masters of the 19th Century.

Overview

Jan Veth’s 1893 oil painting presents his three daughters, Cornelia, Clara, and Johanna, seated together. Executed in a style linked to Impressionism, the work emphasizes the quiet dignity of the figures against a nearly black backdrop, allowing their faces to emerge with subtle clarity.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a moment of familial intimacy: the leftmost daughter rests a hand on the chair’s back, the central figure dons a striped vest with a visible pocket watch, and the rightmost folds her hands together. Their restrained expressions and modest attire suggest a focus on personal character rather than decorative flourish.

Context

At a time when Dutch artists were engaging with broader European Impressionist currents, Veth combined academic training with a softer, atmospheric approach. This painting reflects his dual role as a critic and practitioner, illustrating how personal subjects could be rendered with contemporary stylistic influences.