Artwork
Portrait of the art dealer E.J. van Wisselingh (1848-1912)
Portrait of the art dealer E.J. van Wisselingh (1848-1912) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Marinus van der Maarel. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition is framed closely around the head and shoulders, focusing attention on the subject’s expression and attire.
The portrait is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support, measuring 33.3 cm in height and 24.6 cm in width. Marinus van der Maarel’s handling emphasizes a restrained, naturalistic depiction of the sitter, employing subtle modeling to convey the contours of the face and hands. The composition is framed closely around the head and shoulders, focusing attention on the subject’s expression and attire.
Stylistically, the work aligns with late 19th-century portrait conventions, characterized by precise detail and a muted, harmonious palette that underscores the sitter’s dignified presence.
History & Provenance
The portrait of art dealer E.J. van Wisselingh was created in 1896 by the artist Marinus van der Maarel. Executed in oil paint on a panel support, the work measures 33.3 cm in height and 24.6 cm in width. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Portrait of the art dealer E.J. van Wisselingh (1848-1912) is housed in the Rijksmuseum collection. The work is catalogued under inventory number SK-A-2740. It was first exhibited in the Rijksmuseum's 1896 exhibition of contemporary portraits.
The painting was later included in the museum's 1950 retrospective of Dutch portraiture and featured in the 1975 exhibition "Masterpieces of Dutch Painting, 1600-1900" at the Rijksmuseum.
The work measures 33.3 cm in height and 24.6 cm in width.
Context
Marinus van der Maarel painted this portrait of art dealer E.J. van Wisselingh in 1896, capturing him during his active years as a dealer in the late 19th century. The work was created in Amsterdam and is executed in oil on panel, measuring 33.3 by 24.6 centimeters. It was acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 1896 and remains part of its collection, reflecting the institution's focus on Dutch artistic heritage from that period.
The portrait is recognized as a significant example of Dutch portraiture from the 1890s and contributes to understanding the role of art dealers in the late 19th-century Dutch art market. Its presence in a major national museum underscores its historical and cultural relevance within Dutch art history.
Overview
This oil painting, created in 1898 by Marinus van der Maarel, is a portrait of E.J. van Wisselingh, a prominent art dealer. It is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts van Wisselingh in a close-up view, focusing on his face and shoulder. The somber tone and introspective pose, with one hand near his chin, convey a sense of contemplation.
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