Who painted Portrait of an army officer?

Portrait of an army officer was painted by Johannes Vollevens in 1699-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of an army officer?

Portrait of an army officer is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of an army officer?

Portrait of an army officer is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of an army officer?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of an army officer are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of an army officer

Johannes Vollevens , 1700

Portrait of an army officer is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Johannes Vollevens. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The dark, three-quarter-length format and restrained palette emphasize the subject’s professional identity rather than personal traits.

The sitter is identified as an army officer through his distinctive uniform and insignia, which denote rank and military status. The dark, three-quarter-length format and restrained palette emphasize the subject’s professional identity rather than personal traits. The officer’s attire and bearing align with late seventeenth-century Dutch military portrait conventions, where the sitter’s role and social standing are conveyed through costume and posture rather than elaborate allegory.

The painting’s minimalist approach suggests it functioned primarily as a status portrait rather than a symbolic or allegorical image.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, reflecting 17th-century portrait conventions. It portrays a military officer in attire typical of late 1600s European portraiture, emphasizing formal pose and dignified presence. The composition aligns with contemporary genre practices of formal portraiture, capturing subject status through sartorial detail.

The painting measures 124 cm in height and 97.5 cm in width, adhering to the dimensions recorded in the institutional catalog.

These formal qualities reflect Baroque-era portrait conventions, where technical precision in rendering fabric textures and facial features served to communicate social rank and professional identity.

History & Provenance

The painting Portrait of an army officer was created by Johannes Vollevens in 1699. Executed in oil on canvas, the work depicts a military officer and measures 124 cm in height by 97.5 cm in width. While the specific circumstances of its commission or the identity of the original patron are not detailed in the available records, the work has been part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The piece remains attributed to Vollevens and is dated to the final year of the seventeenth century.

Overview

Johannes Vollevens’ oil painting, dated 1700, presents a portrait of a military officer. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies early‑18th‑century Dutch portraiture, focusing on the sitter’s rank and readiness through detailed costume and compositional elements.