Artwork
Portrait of the artist and his wife
Portrait of the artist and his wife is an oil painting by Jean Vanden Eeckhoudt. It dates from 1946 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1946, this oil painting by Belgian artist Jean Vanden Eeckhoudt portrays the artist alongside his spouse. The work is part of the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, where it remains on display as an example of post‑war portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a man in a red jacket, white shirt and brown tie, his hands tucked in his pockets, gazing directly at the viewer. Beside him, a woman in a black dress patterned with white polka dots and a matching headscarf sits with clasped hands, her eyes lowered, suggesting a quiet, introspective atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a muted green‑gray background that subtly offsets the vivid reds and dark tones of the figures’ clothing. Vanden Eeckhoudt’s handling of light and shadow creates a restrained tonal range, emphasizing the solemn mood and the intimate connection between the sitters.
History & Provenance
After its completion in the immediate aftermath of World War II, the portrait entered the holdings of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. The museum acquired the work as part of its effort to document Belgian artists of the mid‑20th century, and it has remained in the institution’s permanent collection.
Artist & collection
Museum
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
Continue through works from the same source collection.
