Artwork

A Man with a Drawing of Flowers, so-called Portrait of Jacob Feitama Jr, Merchant in Amsterdam

A Man with a Drawing of Flowers, so-called Portrait of Jacob Feitama Jr, Merchant in Amsterdam is an oil painting. It dates from 1730 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Technique & Style

Stylistically, it functions as a formal portrait depicting a male figure, consistent with the genre conventions of the period in Holland.

Executed in 1730, this anonymous portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 80.5 cm in height and 66 cm in width. Stylistically, it functions as a formal portrait depicting a male figure, consistent with the genre conventions of the period in Holland.

The composition focuses on the subject, who is characterized by the inclusion of a drawing of flowers, a specific attribute that distinguishes this representation within the artist's oeuvre or regional style.

History & Provenance

The work was created in 1730 in Holland as an oil painting on canvas, depicting a man and classified as a portrait. It was later acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains in the collection today. The piece was initially described as an anonymous work before being identified as a portrait of Jacob Feitama Jr., a merchant in Amsterdam.

The painting is held by the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, where it carries the inventory number SK-C-1936.

It was first exhibited in 1936 as part of the museum’s permanent display of Dutch portraits. The work has not appeared in subsequent special exhibitions according to publicly available records.

Overview

The canvas presents a seated gentleman dressed in a green coat with lace‑trimmed cuffs, his hand supporting his chin as he contemplates a small floral sketch held in the other. The figure is illuminated on one side, set against a dark interior that hints at a window and scattered papers on the table. The muted palette of the surroundings accentuates the bright, simple blossoms in the drawing.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays Jacob Feitama Jr., a merchant active in Amsterdam, captured in a moment of quiet reflection. By focusing on the act of drawing flowers, the painting suggests an appreciation for nature’s delicacy and perhaps a personal hobby, while the thoughtful expression conveys a contemplative mindset typical of the mercantile class’s engagement with both commerce and cultured pursuits.

Artist & collection

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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