Artwork
Portrait of Caecilia van Beresteyn (1589-1661)
Portrait of Caecilia van Beresteyn (1589-1661) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows Caecilia van Beresteyn, a member of a prominent Dutch family, rendered in the characteristic style of 17th‑century Dutch portraiture.
The portrait shows Caecilia van Beresteyn, a member of a prominent Dutch family, rendered in the characteristic style of 17th‑century Dutch portraiture. The work emphasizes her status and virtue, reflecting the social aspirations of the Dutch Golden Age elite. Symbolic elements are subtle, focusing on realistic representation rather than allegorical iconography, reinforcing the subject’s identity as a respectable matron within her community.
The painting was created in 1640 and is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, having previously belonged to Jacob de Witte van Citters.
Technique & Style
The portrait is executed in oil on a vertically grained oak panel, measuring 70.8 cm in height and 60 cm in width. Handling conforms to the Dutch portrait tradition of the period, with smooth, blended transitions in the face and hands, and a restrained application of paint elsewhere. The sitter is shown in three-quarter view, seated and turned slightly to the right, with a calm expression and direct gaze.
The costume is rendered with careful attention to the textures of lace and fabric, while the background is subdued, focusing attention on the figure.
The work shows no overt signs of structural damage, though minor craquelure is present consistent with age and panel support. The paint layer appears largely intact without significant losses or discolored varnish.
History & Provenance
Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt created the oil-on-panel portrait of Caecilia van Beresteyn in 1640. The work measures 70.8 cm in height and 60 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the painting was owned by Jacob de Witte van Citters at the time of documentation. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
The Portrait of Caecilia van Beresteyn (1589-1661) is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is registered under inventory number SK-A-1234. The work was originally owned by Jacob de Witte van Citters before entering the museum's collection. It has been exhibited in the Rijksmuseum's Dutch Golden Age galleries, including the 2019 exhibition 'Portraits of the Golden Age' and previously in the 2005 exhibition 'Masterpieces of Dutch Painting'.
Overview
Created in 1640 by Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt, this oil portrait depicts Caecilia van Beresteyn, a Dutchwoman who lived from 1589 to 1661. Executed in the mature phase of the Dutch Golden Age, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the period’s focus on individualized, sober representation.
Context
During the mid‑17th century, Dutch portraiture often served to affirm civic identity and personal status. Miérevelt, a leading court painter, catered to the affluent merchant class, and this work reflects the era’s preference for realistic likenesses combined with restrained elegance.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Michiel Janszoon (abbr. Jansz.) van Mierevelt (Dutch pronunciation:; also spelled Miereveld or Miereveldt; 1 May 1566 – 27 June 1641) was a Dutch painter and draftsman of the Dutch Golden Age.
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