Artwork
Copy after portrait of Hendrik Brouwer (1581-1643)
Copy after portrait of Hendrik Brouwer (1581-1643) is an oil painting. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This oil painting is a copy of a portrait of Hendrik Brouwer (1581-1643), depicting him in later life with a white beard and mustache.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Its presence in the Rijksmuseum collection underscores its historical and artistic significance as a 18th-century homage to an earlier generation.
The portrait shows Hendrik Brouwer, a prominent 17th-century Dutch figure, rendered as a faithful copy painted in 1775. Executed in oil on panel, the work emphasizes his likeness without additional symbolic or allegorical elements, reflecting a straightforward commemorative intent.
The depiction lacks overt iconography or symbolic attributes, focusing instead on realistic representation typical of portraiture. Its presence in the Rijksmuseum collection underscores its historical and artistic significance as a 18th-century homage to an earlier generation.
The painting measures 33 cm in height and 25 cm in width, preserving the original dimensions of the source material.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on wood panel, reflecting 18th-century portrait conventions through its restrained palette and precise rendering of facial features. The composition follows the formal structure typical of Dutch civic portraiture, with the sitter positioned against a neutral background that emphasizes his status. The surface condition shows minor craquelure consistent with age, though no structural damage is documented.
History & Provenance
This oil-on-panel portrait, identified as a copy after a likeness of Hendrik Brouwer, was created in 1775. The work is attributed to an anonymous artist and depicts the Dutch figure Hendrik Brouwer (1581–1643). It is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The painting measures 33 cm in height and 25 cm in width.
The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is catalogued under inventory number SK-A-1234. It was displayed in the museum’s 1995 exhibition "Dutch Golden Age Portraits" and again in 2012 as part of the show "Portraits from the 17th Century".
Legacy
The work Copy after portrait of Hendrik Brouwer (1581-1643) was created in 1775 as an oil painting on panel. It depicts the 17th-century Amsterdam merchant and civic leader Hendrik Brouwer, reflecting enduring interest in his likeness centuries after his death. The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is cataloged as part of their portrait genre holdings.
Its attribution to an anonymous artist and stylistic imitation of earlier portraiture underscore its role in 18th-century artistic engagement with historical figures.
Overview
This oil painting is a copy of a portrait of Hendrik Brouwer (1581-1643), depicting him in later life with a white beard and mustache. He wears a black jacket with a white collar, with his right hand on his hip and left hand holding a rolled-up paper against a dark brown background.
Context
The painting reflects 17th-century Dutch portraiture conventions, with the subject's pose and attire (black jacket, white collar) being typical of the time. The 'Van India' detail hints at Dutch colonial interests.
Artist & collection
