Artwork

Portrait of Jan van Lennep de Oude, Amsterdam Merchant in Silk, Gold and Silver Cloth and Art Collector

Portrait of Jan van Lennep de Oude, Amsterdam Merchant in Silk, Gold and Silver Cloth and Art Collector is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Unknown. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition emphasizes material opulence through the depiction of rich fabrics, underscoring the subject’s role as both trader and collector of fine art.

The portrait depicts Jan van Lennep de Oude, an Amsterdam merchant and art collector, wearing silk, gold and silver cloth that signifies his wealth and social standing. The attire functions as visual shorthand for merchantile prosperity and connoisseurship, linking the sitter to the cultural capital of the Dutch Republic. The composition emphasizes material opulence through the depiction of rich fabrics, underscoring the subject’s role as both trader and collector of fine art.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting created on canvas. Executed circa 1700 in the Northern Low Countries, it depicts Amsterdam merchant Jan van Lennep de Oude dressed in silk, gold and silver cloth, reflecting his status as a collector. The composition emphasizes fine textile rendering and meticulous handling of light on fabric, characteristic of Dutch portraiture of the period.

History & Provenance

The portrait was created in 1700 within the Northern Low Countries. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 111.5 cm in height and 90 cm in width. The artist responsible for the painting remains anonymous.

The artwork eventually entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held.

Overview

The oil painting depicts Jan van Lennep de Oude, an Amsterdam merchant renowned for dealing in silk, gold and silver textiles and for his art collection. He is presented seated in a dimly lit interior, dressed in a dark coat over a light vest, his white wig spilling over his shoulders. A folded document rests in his hand, and his face and hands are illuminated against the plain background, creating a focused, intimate portrait.