Artwork

Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son

Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son, by Philip van Dijk, oil, 1745
Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son, by Philip van Dijk, oil, 1745

Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Philip van Dijk. It dates from 1745 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and dimension to the painting.

This painting shows a family of three: a man, a woman, and a young boy. The man is dressed in a blue coat with gold trim, while the woman wears a red dress with a white shawl. The boy is dressed in a gray jacket and black hat.

The family is posed in front of a curtain, with a statue of a man holding a sword visible behind them. The woman's hand is placed on the boy's shoulder, and the man's hand rests on her shoulder.

The painting is a portrait of a wealthy family, likely from the 18th century. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and dimension to the painting. If you're interested in learning more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.

Subject & Meaning

This 1745 oil painting by Philip van Dijk functions as a formal group portrait depicting Berend van Iddekinge alongside his wife and their young son. The composition features the three figures positioned before a draped curtain, a common backdrop in portraiture of this era used to frame the subjects and suggest domestic or civic stature. A sword is included within the scene, serving as an iconographic attribute that likely signifies the male subject's social rank, military affiliation, or civic authority.

By presenting the family unit together with these specific props, the work represents the lineage and status of the Van Iddekinge household, immortalizing their standing within their community through the conventional visual language of eighteenth-century Dutch portraiture.

Technique & Style

The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for Dutch portraiture of the mid-18th century. The handling is precise and smooth, with careful attention to facial features and costume details, typical of Philip van Dijk’s style. The composition centers on the seated figures of Berend van Iddekinge and his wife, with their son positioned to the side, arranged against a draped curtain backdrop that frames the group.

The palette is restrained, relying on muted tones and subtle modeling to convey the sitters’ status, while the man’s sword and the woman’s attire reinforce their social identity. The work’s dimensions are 152 cm in height by 119 cm in width.

The overall condition appears stable, with no major losses or significant craquelure reported in the source.

History & Provenance

The portrait titled Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son was created by the Dutch artist Philip van Dijk in 1745. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 152 cm in height and 119 cm in width. The painting depicts the main subject, Berend van Iddekinge, alongside his wife and their young son, incorporating elements such as a sword and a curtain within the composition.

Since its creation, the artwork has been held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it remains part of the collection.

The painting Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son is housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It belongs to the museum’s collection, though the precise accession or inventory number is not specified in the documentation. The work is classified as an 18th‑century portrait painted in oil on canvas, measuring 152 cm by 119 cm. No exhibition record is noted in the sources consulted, indicating that the piece has not been featured in publicly listed exhibitions up to the present.

Overview

This oil painting, titled Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son, was completed by Philip van Dijk in 1745. It presents a formal family portrait, capturing the likenesses of Berend van Iddekinge, his spouse, and their young child. The work is a notable example of 18th-century portraiture and is currently housed in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

Portrait of Diederik, Baron van Leyden van Vlaardingen with his Wife and three Sons
Portrait of Diederik, Baron van Leyden van Vlaardingen with his Wife and three Sons, Willem van Mieris

Artist & collection

Portrait of Philip van Dijk

Artist

Philip van Dijk

Philip van Dijk (1683–1753) was an artist, born in Oud-Beijerland.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

Continue through works from the same source collection.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son?

Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son was painted by Philip van Dijk in 1745-01-01.

Where can I see Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son?

Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son?

Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son?

Museum-quality prints of Berend van Iddekinge with his Wife and their Son are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.