Who painted Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654)?

Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654) was painted by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy in 1622.

Where can I see Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654)?

Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654) is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654)?

Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654) is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654)

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy , 1622

Portrait of Pieter van Son (c. 1590-1654) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy. It dates from 1622 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

Stylistically, the piece reflects the influence of Amsterdam portraiture traditions, combining naturalistic detail with a focus on status and dignity.

The work is an oil painting executed on wooden panel, measuring 105.5 centimeters in height and 79.3 centimeters in width. It depicts the Amsterdam merchant Pieter van Son and exemplifies early 17th-century Dutch portraiture, characterized by precise rendering of facial features and restrained compositional balance. The surface handling reveals a smooth, blended application typical of the period, contributing to a lifelike yet idealized presence.

Stylistically, the piece reflects the influence of Amsterdam portraiture traditions, combining naturalistic detail with a focus on status and dignity.

History & Provenance

The work titled Portrait of Pieter van Son was painted by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy in 1622. It was created as a portrait and is executed in oil on panel. The artwork entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Its dimensions measure 105.5 cm in height and 79.3 cm in width.

Context

The 1622 portrait of Pieter van Son by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy is housed in the Rijksmuseum collection, reflecting the artist's specialization in Amsterdam portraiture during the early Dutch Golden Age. Pickenoy's work exemplifies the era's focus on individual likeness and civic identity, positioning van Son within the network of merchant-class subjects documented in Amsterdam's artistic record.

Overview

Created in 1622, Portrait of Pieter van Son is an oil painting by Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy, a Flemish-born Dutch Golden Age painter. The work is characterized by its use of strong chiaroscuro, highlighting the subject against a plain black background.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Pieter van Son, a figure of the period, dressed in attire indicative of his status: a fancy coat with lace cuffs and a gold emblem. His calm, slightly smiling expression conveys seriousness. The small object in his left hand and thumb on his chest may suggest quiet contemplation or subtle gesture of self-assurance.

Legacy

While not extensively detailed here, the painting's presence in the Rijksmuseum suggests its recognition as a representative work of Pickenoy's portraiture skills and the broader artistic trends of the Dutch Golden Age.

Portrait of Pieter Boudaen Courten (1594-1668), Salomon Mesdach

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Artist & collection

Artist

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy

Nicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy (10 January 1588 – 1653/1656) was a Dutch painter of Flemish origin. Pickenoy was possibly a pupil of Cornelis van der Voort and presumably Bartholomeus van der Helst was his own pupil.