Artwork

Portrait of Willem Pottey (1666-94), lawyer and treasurer-general of Vlissingen

Portrait of Willem Pottey (1666-94), lawyer and treasurer-general of Vlissingen is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is Willem Pottey (1666–94), a lawyer who served as treasurer-general of Vlissingen.

The sitter is Willem Pottey (1666–94), a lawyer who served as treasurer-general of Vlissingen. Painted in 1686 by Nicolaes Maes, the three-quarter-length portrait presents Pottey in sober, dark attire with a white collar, emphasizing his professional status and civic role. The restrained costume and direct gaze convey authority and probity appropriate to his office, while the plain background focuses attention on the individual’s character and social standing.

Technique & Style

The portrait is executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for Dutch portraiture of the late seventeenth century. Maes’s handling is restrained and linear, with precise contours and smooth transitions in the modeling of the face and costume. The brushwork remains largely invisible, favoring a polished, enamel-like finish that emphasizes clarity and surface refinement.

The sitter’s dark clothing and the subdued palette heighten the quiet gravity of the composition. The restrained palette and careful delineation of facial features align with the conventions of Dutch portraiture from the 1680s, emphasizing dignity and social standing over painterly bravura.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Willem Pottey was created in 1686 by the Dutch artist Nicolaes Maes. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 61 cm in height and 49 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the painting was commissioned to depict Pottey, who served as a lawyer and treasurer-general of Vlissingen during his lifetime from 1666 to 1694.

The artwork is currently part of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection and is held at the Rijksmuseum. Provenance documentation lists Jan Coenraad de Ruyter de Wildt as a former owner of the piece.

Overview

This 1694 oil portrait by Nicolaes Maes depicts Willem Pottey, a lawyer and treasurer-general of Vlissingen, during the Dutch Golden Age. The work showcases Maes' characteristic portraiture style, acquired through his training under Rembrandt and established practice in Amsterdam.

Portrait of Willem Pottey, Lawyer and Accountant-General of Flushing, Nicolaes Maes

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Artist & collection

Artist

Nicolaes Maes

Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.