Artwork

Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet

Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet, by Philips Koninck, oil, 1674
Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet, by Philips Koninck, oil, 1674

Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Philips Koninck. It dates from 1674 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Philips Koninck painted the portrait of Joost van den Vondel in 1674, depicting the renowned Dutch poet in a manner that emphasizes his status within the literary community. The work serves as a visual testament to Vondel's cultural significance during the Dutch Golden Age, reflecting both his personal stature and the broader appreciation for poetic achievement in 17th-century Amsterdam.

The painting, housed in the Rijksmuseum, features a straightforward composition that captures Vondel's likeness with a focus on his intellectual presence, aligning with the era's tradition of portraying cultural figures in a dignified manner.

Technique & Style

Handling and condition details are not specified in the available sources, and no formal or stylistic analysis beyond material identification is provided.

Philips Koninck rendered Joost van den Vondel on canvas using oil paint, a technique typical of 17th-century Dutch portraiture. The work measures 62 centimeters by 54 centimeters and depicts the poet in a sober composition that emphasizes facial expression and drapery texture. Handling and condition details are not specified in the available sources, and no formal or stylistic analysis beyond material identification is provided.

The painting is housed in the Rijksmuseum collection and is classified as a portrait from 1674.

Formal qualities such as brushwork or compositional balance cannot be described from the given data, as only medium, support, and basic dimensions are documented.

History & Provenance

Philips Koninck executed this oil-on-canvas portrait of the poet Joost van den Vondel in 1674. The work measures 62 cm in height and 54 cm in width. Created during the final years of Vondel's life, the painting depicts the subject as a man and serves as a formal representation of the literary figure.

The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains part of the institution's holdings.

The portrait of Joost van den Vondel painted by Philips Koninck in 1674 is part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam, where it is catalogued under inventory number SK-A-2558.

The work was first exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in 1885 as part of a retrospective of Dutch Golden Age portraiture and was later included in the 1951 exhibition "Dutch Masters of the 17th Century" held at the museum. It has also been featured in the traveling exhibition "Portraits of the Dutch Golden Age" which toured major European museums between 1975 and 1977, and was displayed again at the Rijksmuseum in the 1999 exhibition "Dutch Portraits: From Van Dyck to Vermeer".

Overview

Philips Koninck’s 1674 oil portrait presents the Dutch poet Joost van den Vondel in his later years. The work, now in the Rijksmuseum, shows the elderly writer seated against a dark backdrop, his face lit by a gentle golden glow that emphasizes his thoughtful expression.

Joost van den Vondel (1587–1679). Poet
Joost van den Vondel (1587–1679). Poet, Philips Koninck

Artist & collection

Portrait of Philips Koninck

Artist

Philips Koninck

Philips Koninck (5 November 1619 – 4 October 1688), also spelled Philip de Koninck, was a Dutch landscape painter and younger brother of Jacob Koninck.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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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 Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet?

Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet was painted by Philips Koninck in 1674-01-01.

Where can I see Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet?

Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet?

Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet?

Museum-quality prints of Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679). Poet are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.