Artwork
Portrait of Johannes Siberg, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies
Portrait of Johannes Siberg, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies is an oil painting by the Realist artist Unknown. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is a copper portrait depicting Johannes Siberg, who served as Governor‑General of the Dutch East Indies.
About this work
Technique & Style
The Portrait of Johannes Siberg is executed in oil paint applied to a copper support, a medium choice characteristic of the era's portraiture.
The Portrait of Johannes Siberg is executed in oil paint applied to a copper support, a medium choice characteristic of the era's portraiture. Created in 1801, the work measures 107 cm in height and 90 cm in width. The painting is classified as a portrait genre piece, attributed to an anonymous artist.
While the specific handling techniques and current physical condition are not detailed in the available records, the use of copper as a rigid support suggests a smooth surface intended for fine detail, consistent with formal portraiture of the early 19th century.
History & Provenance
The portrait was created in 1801, depicting Johannes Siberg during his tenure as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. Executed in oil paint on a copper support, the work measures 107 cm in height and 90 cm in width. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the identity of the artist remain unrecorded in available documentation, the piece is classified as an anonymous painting from the early 19th century.
The artwork eventually entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held and displayed as part of their portrait genre holdings.
The portrait of Johannes Siberg is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is catalogued as part of the museum's holdings of Dutch colonial-era portraiture. The work is recorded as an anonymous painting executed in oil on copper, dated to 1801.
No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Legacy
The portrait of Johannes Siberg, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, painted in 1801 on copper, has been recognized as a significant example of early colonial portraiture within Dutch institutional collections. Its presence in the Rijksmuseum's holdings underscores its ongoing relevance to the study of Dutch imperial history and 19th-century portraiture. The work is frequently cited in scholarly discussions of anonymous colonial-era paintings held at the Rijksmuseum, contributing to broader analyses of representation in Dutch East Indies visual culture.
Overview
The work is a copper portrait depicting Johannes Siberg, who served as Governor‑General of the Dutch East Indies. He is presented in a dark coat edged with gold embroidery, holding a wooden cane, and wearing a neatly tied white cravat. A red curtain is visible behind his left shoulder, while the remainder of the background is left plain, directing attention to his face and attire.
Subject & Meaning
Siberg’s attire and the gold trim on his cuffs and lapels signal his elevated status within the colonial administration. His composed expression and formal stance reflect the conventions of official portraiture, intended to convey authority, dignity, and the stability of his governance over the Dutch East Indies.
Artist & collection
