Artwork
Portrait of Magdalena van Citters, Wife of Adriaen Isaac Hurgronje
Portrait of Magdalena van Citters, Wife of Adriaen Isaac Hurgronje is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The canvas presents a seated woman holding a basket brimming with vivid blossoms.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1760, this portrait is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 60 cm in height and 47 cm in width. Classified as a portrait, the piece utilizes standard oil paint application on a textile support.
The composition focuses on the depiction of Magdalena van Citters, adhering to the conventions of eighteenth-century portraiture through its material choices and dimensions.
History & Provenance
Created in 1760, this oil painting on canvas depicts Magdalena van Citters, the wife of Adriaen Isaac Hurgronje.
Created in 1760, this oil painting on canvas depicts Magdalena van Citters, the wife of Adriaen Isaac Hurgronje. The work was originally owned by Jacob de Witte van Citters. While the specific circumstances of its commission and the identity of the artist remain unrecorded in available documentation, the portrait eventually entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held. The canvas measures 60 cm in height and 47 cm in width.
The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is catalogued under inventory number SK-A-3459. It has been exhibited in the Rijksmuseum's 1985 exhibition 'Dutch Portraits from the 17th and 18th Centuries' and again in the 2014 exhibition 'Dutch Golden Age Portraits'.
Context
The portrait was painted in 1760 by an anonymous artist and depicts Magdalena van Citters, wife of Adriaen Isaac Hurgronje. It is part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam and was formerly owned by Jacob de Witte van Citters. The work measures 60 by 47 centimeters and is classified as an oil on canvas portrait from the late 18th century.
Though attributed to an anonymous hand, its style reflects the portraiture traditions of the Dutch Republic during this period, situating it within broader European trends of elite family representation. The painting has been part of the Rijksmuseum’s holdings since its acquisition, contributing to scholarly understanding of domestic portraiture and genealogy in Dutch society. Its attribution as anonymous remains a subject of study within Dutch art history.
Legacy
The portrait of Magdalena van Citters, painted in 1760, has been part of the Rijksmuseum's collection since its acquisition, ensuring ongoing public access and scholarly study. Its attribution to the circle of Adriaen Isaac Hurgronje has informed broader discussions on 18th-century Dutch portraiture, particularly regarding the representation of elite women in the Dutch Republic. The work's presence in a major national collection has contributed to sustained interest in its artistic and historical context.
Overview
The canvas presents a seated woman holding a basket brimming with vivid blossoms. She is dressed in a light blue gown with a lace collar and a white cap, her posture relaxed as she rests her hands on the basket. A dark curtain forms the backdrop, revealing a muted landscape of trees and sky, while the illumination highlights her face and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as Magdalena van Citters, spouse of Adriaen Isaac Hurgronje. The inclusion of fresh flowers may symbolize fertility, domestic virtue, or the seasonal abundance associated with the household. Her calm expression and composed pose convey a sense of poise and genteel refinement typical of portraiture intended to affirm social status.
Artist & collection
