Artwork
Cornelis Outshoorn (1810-75). Engineer and Architect
Cornelis Outshoorn (1810-75). Engineer and Architect is an oil painting by the Realist artist Moritz Calisch. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
No additional symbolic elements or broader iconographic programs beyond the direct portrayal of Outshoorn are indicated in the available records.
The work is a portrait depicting Cornelis Outshoorn, an engineer and architect who lived from 1810 to 1875. Created in 1850 by Moritz Calisch, the painting functions as a representational likeness of its sitter rather than an allegorical composition. The subject matter is strictly focused on the individual, identifying him by his professional roles and historical identity.
No additional symbolic elements or broader iconographic programs beyond the direct portrayal of Outshoorn are indicated in the available records.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Cornelis Outshoorn by Moritz Calisch is held jointly in the collections of the Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Museum, according to Wikidata records. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources. The painting, executed in oil on canvas in 1850, has no documented exhibition history beyond its institutional holdings.
Overview
This mid‑nineteenth‑century oil portrait, executed by Amsterdam‑born painter Moritz Calisch, presents the Dutch engineer and architect Cornelis Outshoorn. Rendered in a realistic manner, the work measures the likeness of the subject with careful attention to his attire and insignia, and is presently part of the Rijksmuseum’s holdings.
Technique & Style
Calisch employed the oil medium to achieve a smooth, lifelike surface, characteristic of the Realist approach prevalent in the 1850s. The muted brown backdrop recedes, allowing the crisp detailing of the fabrics, medal and facial features to dominate, while subtle brushwork conveys the texture of the velvet chair and the sheen of the medal.
Context
During the mid‑1800s, Dutch portraiture often highlighted civic leaders and professionals, aligning personal achievement with national progress. Outshoorn’s dual role as engineer and architect placed him among the era’s contributors to urban development, a fact emphasized by the dignified composition and the inclusion of his medal, a visual cue to his public service.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Moritz Calisch (12 April 1819, Amsterdam – 13 March 1870, Amsterdam), was a 19th-century painter from the Northern Netherlands.
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