Artwork
The Feast of St. Nicholas
The Feast of St. Nicholas is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Richard Brakenburgh. It dates from 1693 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Nicholas is an oil painting executed on a canvas support, completed in 1685.
Richard Brakenburgh's The Feast of St. Nicholas is an oil painting executed on a canvas support, completed in 1685. The work measures 49 cm in height and 64.5 cm in width, classifying it within the genre art tradition. As a genre scene, the piece employs oil paint to depict a narrative moment, utilizing the medium's capacity for detailed rendering and textural variety typical of the period.
The physical dimensions and material composition confirm its status as a portable panel-sized canvas work, consistent with mid-to-late 17th-century Dutch painting practices.
History & Provenance
Richard Brakenburgh executed The Feast of St. Nicholas in 1685. Created as an oil painting on canvas, the work measures 49 cm in height and 64.5 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the piece was once owned by Josephus Augustinus Brentano.
It subsequently entered the collection of Leendert Dupper. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Richard Brakenburgh's The Feast of St. Nicholas is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The painting, executed in oil on canvas in 1685, measures 49 cm in height and 64.5 cm in width. Prior to its current location, the work was owned by Josephus Augustinus Brentano and Leendert Dupper.
The provided sources do not contain specific inventory or accession numbers for the artwork, nor do they list any exhibition history.
Overview
Created in 1693 by Haarlem‑born artist Richard Brakenburgh, this oil on canvas captures a domestic celebration associated with St. Nicholas. The composition centers on a warmly illuminated table surrounded by figures in 17th‑century dress, conveying a lively gathering typical of Dutch genre painting. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The scene portrays a festive family occasion, likely the traditional St. Nicholas feast, where children receive gifts and adults converse. The arrangement of participants, adults seated, children at play, reflects social customs of the Dutch Republic, emphasizing communal bonds and the moral virtue of generosity during the holiday.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Brakenburgh or Brakenburg (22 May 1650, in Haarlem – 28 December 1702, in Haarlem), was a Dutch Golden Age painter.
