Artwork

Pieter de Riemer (1769-1831). Professor in de ontleed- en verloskunde, consulent chirurgijn van koning Willem I

Pieter de Riemer (1769-1831). Professor in de ontleed- en verloskunde, consulent chirurgijn van koning Willem I is an ivory painting by the Biedermeier artist Johannes Hari. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

Created in 1815 by Johannes Hari, this portrait is executed as a miniature painting on an ivory support.

Created in 1815 by Johannes Hari, this portrait is executed as a miniature painting on an ivory support. The work measures 8.6 cm in height and 6.6 cm in width, adhering to the compact dimensions typical of the genre. As a portrait, the piece focuses on the formal representation of Pieter de Riemer, utilizing the smooth, luminous surface of the ivory to render the subject's likeness.

The medium of ivory was a standard choice for high-quality miniatures of this period, allowing for delicate handling and fine detail in the depiction of the sitter.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted in 1815 by Johannes Hari, as recorded by both the artist’s dated work and the Rijksmuseum’s cataloguing.

It has remained in the collection of the Rijksmuseum since its acquisition, where it is currently held as an ivory miniature measuring 8.6 cm in height and 6.6 cm in width.

The portrait of Professor Pieter de Riemer painted by Johannes Hari in 1815 is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection and is catalogued under inventory number SK-A-1835. It has been displayed in the Rijksmuseum's 'Dutch Masters' exhibition in 2005 and featured in the exhibition 'Portraits from the Golden Age' at the Rijksmuseum in 2011.

Context

A 1815 ivory portrait of Pieter de Riemer by Johannes Hari was part of the Rijksmuseum collection, reflecting his dual role as a medical professor and royal consultant surgeon during the Kingdom of the Netherlands' early years. The work exemplifies neoclassical portraiture in Dutch medical circles, where anatomical expertise intersected with state service under King Willem I's reign.

Scholarly attention to Hari's ivory works remains niche, though his portrait of de Riemer is noted for precise anatomical detail rendered within the constraints of miniature ivory painting. Its presence in the Rijksmuseum underscores the institutional recognition of medical professionals in 19th-century Dutch art historiography, situating the piece at the intersection of scientific illustration and elite portraiture.

Overview

Johannes Hari’s 1815 portrait presents Pieter de Riemer, a noted professor of anatomy and obstetrics who served as royal surgeon to King Willem I. Executed on a small oval piece of ivory, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and is framed in gold, underscoring its refined presentation.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in formal attire: a black coat, white cravat, and a medal affixed to his chest, indicating his academic and royal credentials. His hair is brushed back in soft waves, and his expression is sober, reflecting the seriousness of his medical profession and his status within the early‑19th‑century Dutch court.