Artwork
Dirk van Cloon (1684-1735). Gouverneur-generaal (1730-35)

Dirk van Cloon (1684-1735). Gouverneur-generaal (1730-35) is an oil painting. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This copper painting depicts Dirk van Cloon, who served as Gouverneur-generaal from 1730 to 1735.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a formal portrait, the image functions to memorialize the historical figure's high-ranking administrative role within the colonial hierarchy.
The work is a portrait depicting Dirck van Cloon, who served as the Governor-General from 1730 to 1735. Painted in 1775 by Hendrik van den Bosch on a copper support, the piece identifies the sitter as its main subject. As a formal portrait, the image functions to memorialize the historical figure's high-ranking administrative role within the colonial hierarchy.
The depiction focuses solely on the individual, presenting him as the central figure of the composition without additional narrative elements or symbolic attributes described in the available records.
Technique & Style
The portrait of Dirck van Cloon was executed on a copper support using oil paint, a technique documented in the artwork's technical record. Measuring 33.5 cm in height and 26.5 cm in width, the painting demonstrates the formal conventions of 18th-century Dutch portraiture while maintaining a restrained compositional balance. Its condition remains stable within the controlled environment of the Rijksmuseum's collection storage.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Dirck van Cloon was created in 1775 as an oil painting on copper, commissioned to depict the Dutch colonial administrator who served as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies from 1730 to 1735. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is cataloged under the artist Hendrik van den Bosch, reflecting its attribution and historical context within 18th-century Dutch portraiture.
The painting measures 33.5 cm in height and 26.5 cm in width, consistent with the dimensions recorded in the source. Its creation date of 1775 aligns with the period in which such portrait commissions were commonly produced for elite figures in colonial administration.
The portrait of Dirk van Cloon is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is located as part of the museum's holdings. According to the available records, the painting is catalogued within the Rijksmuseum's collection of portraits, with its physical dimensions recorded as 33.5 cm in height by 26.5 cm in width. The work, executed in oil paint on copper, was produced in 1775 and depicts Dirck van Cloon, who served as Governor-General from 1730 to 1735.
No specific exhibition history is documented in the available sources for this work.
Overview
This copper painting depicts Dirk van Cloon, who served as Gouverneur-generaal from 1730 to 1735. The portrait presents him in formal attire, conveying his official status.
Context
As a portrait of a colonial administrator, the work reflects the Dutch colonial presence during the early 18th century. Van Cloon's role as Gouverneur-generaal would have involved overseeing Dutch East India Company interests.
Legacy
The painting serves as a historical record of Dirk van Cloon's tenure, offering insights into the representation of colonial authority in early 18th-century Dutch art. Its legacy is tied to the historical significance of its subject rather than the work's artistic innovation.
Artist & collection










