Who painted Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family?

Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family was painted by Cornelis Troost in 1736-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family?

Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family?

Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family by Cornelis Troost (1736)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts an art and music enthusiast seated in a study, holding a drawing while surrounded by symbols of learning and culture.

The painting depicts an art and music enthusiast seated in a study, holding a drawing while surrounded by symbols of learning and culture. An open music book on the table displays the Van der Mersch family coat of arms on the left page and the inscription 'Sonata Prima' on the right, identifying the sitter as a member of this Amsterdam Mennonite family. A cello leans against a chair nearby, and a celestial globe stands to the left, while a bookcase fills the background.

The artist portrays the man in a relaxed, informal manner, notably including spilled powder on his shoulder from dressing his wig. The specific inclusion of the coat of arms serves to identify the subject, with candidates including Johannes or Dirck van der Mersch, brothers of the sitter in a related 1738 portrait.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1736, this work is an oil painting on panel measuring 72 by 57 centimeters. Stylistically, it aligns with the Rococo movement, characterized by an informal and relaxed approach to portraiture. The composition depicts a sitter in a study holding a drawing, surrounded by objects indicating artistic and musical interests, including a cello, a celestial globe, and an open music book displaying the Van der Mersch family coat of arms.

Troost incorporated genre-like details to enhance the naturalism of the scene, such as powder spilled on the subject's shoulder from wig dressing. The setting includes a bookcase in the background, grounding the figure within a specific domestic environment.

History & Provenance

The painting was created by Cornelis Troost in 1736 as an oil portrait of a member of the Van der Mersch family, likely depicting Johannes van der Mersch, a cousin of Pieter van der Mersch, who was also painted by Troost in 1738. It originated from the collection of G.P. Hunt in Almeley, Herefordshire, and subsequently passed to H.L. Talbot, who bequeathed it to his daughter Diana L. Talbot. The work was sold at Sotheby's London on 26 November 1958 for 2050 pounds during the auction of the Earl of Anaster et al. collection, then acquired by art dealer Speelman and later purchased for 2500 pounds by the Rijksmuseum.

It remained in the Rijksmuseum's collection, with temporary exhibition during the museum's renovation from 2003 to 2013 at Rijksmuseum Twenthe in Enschede.

The Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family is held in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam under inventory number SK-A-775. It was acquired in 1958 from the collection of G.P. Hunt in Almeley, Herefordshire, and subsequently sold by art dealer Speelman in London before being purchased by the Rijksmuseum for 2500 pounds. The work was later placed on loan to Rijksmuseum Twenthe in Enschede during the museum's renovation from 2003 to 2013.

The painting was created in 1736 by Cornelis Troost and is classified as a portrait. It was originally part of the Talbot collection, which was auctioned at Sotheby's in London on November 26, 1958, where it was sold for 2050 pounds. It was later resold to the Rijksmuseum.

The artwork is an oil painting on panel measuring 72 cm in height and 57 cm in width, originating from the Northern Low Countries. It was later identified as possibly depicting Johannes van der Mersch, a brother of Pieter van der Mersch, who was also painted by Troost in 1738. The piece was later featured in an exhibition at Rijksmuseum Twenthe during the renovation period.

Exhibition history includes display at Rijksmuseum Twenthe from 2003 to 2013 on loan.

Exhibition history includes display at Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.

Exhibition history includes display in the Dutch Golden Age exhibitions at Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.