Artwork
Portrait of Philippus Baldaeus and Gerrit Mossopotam

Portrait of Philippus Baldaeus and Gerrit Mossopotam is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Johan de la Rocquette. It dates from 1668 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Philippus Baldaeus, a Dutch minister and colonial figure associated with Dutch Ceylon, alongside Gerrit Mossopotam.
The painting depicts Philippus Baldaeus, a Dutch minister and colonial figure associated with Dutch Ceylon, alongside Gerrit Mossopotam. Both men are named in the work's title, identifying them as the principal sitters in this paired portrait.
As a formal double portrait, the composition functions as a record of two individuals linked by shared service or association in the Dutch colonial context of the mid-17th century. The genre of portraiture here emphasizes personal identity and status rather than narrative symbolism, presenting the subjects as recognizable contemporaries rather than allegorical figures.
The work represents the tradition of commemorative colonial-era portraiture, in which officials and associates were documented together to mark their professional and personal ties.
Technique & Style
Created in 1668 by Johan de la Rocquette, the work is an oil painting executed on a canvas support. The piece measures 141 cm in height and 176 cm in width. As a formal portrait, it depicts the subjects Philippus Baldaeus and Gerrit Mossopotam, utilizing the traditional oil-on-canvas technique characteristic of the period.
History & Provenance
The double portrait of Philippus Baldaeus and Gerrit Mossopotam was executed by Johan de la Rocquette in 1668. Created as an oil painting on canvas, the work measures 141 cm in height and 176 cm in width. The inception date is recorded as January 1, 1668, establishing the specific moment of its creation.
While the immediate commissioning details and the original ownership chain prior to the current holding are not specified in the available records, the painting is currently part of the Rijksmuseum collection.
The Portrait of Philippus Baldaeus and Gerrit Mossopotam (1668) is held in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, where it is part of the museum’s permanent collection. The painting is executed in oil on canvas and measures 141 × 176 cm.
There is no documented exhibition history for this work in the provided sources, though its presence in the Rijksmuseum suggests it may have been displayed as part of the institution’s general holdings or thematic presentations.
Overview
Johan de la Rocquette's 1668 oil painting portrays two prominent figures, Philippus Baldaeus and Gerrit Mossopotam, set against a scenic landscape. The composition includes the sitters, three dogs, and a detailed background.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection










