Artwork
Portrait of Maria Cornelisdr van Esch
Portrait of Maria Cornelisdr van Esch is an oil painting. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The medium combines oil paint with the metal plate to achieve a durable and highly finished aesthetic.
Executed in 1632, this portrait is an oil painting applied to a copper support. The work measures 15.9 cm in height and 12.8 cm in width. Created in Dordrecht, the piece utilizes the smooth, non-absorbent surface characteristic of copper panels, which allows for the fine detail and luminous color saturation typical of small-scale portraiture from this period. The medium combines oil paint with the metal plate to achieve a durable and highly finished aesthetic.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of Maria Cornelisdr van Esch was created in 1632 by Cornelius van Poelenburgh. The work was executed in oil paint on a copper support and originated in Dordrecht. It is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, having been part of the Instituut Collectie Nederland holdings. The painting measures 15.9 cm in height and 12.8 cm in width.
The work Portrait of Maria Cornelisdr van Esch is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it is listed under the inventory number SK-A-1234. It was created in 1632 on a copper support in Dordrecht and falls within the portrait genre. The painting was first exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in 1885 as part of a showcase of Dutch 17th-century portraiture, and it has remained in the museum's collection ever since.
The work was later included in the traveling exhibition "Dutch Masters: Portraits from the Rijksmuseum" which toured European venues from 1998 to 2000.
Current display status: on permanent view in Gallery of Honour, Rijksmuseum.
Overview
The work titled Portrait of Maria Cornelisdr van Esch is executed on copper, presenting a young woman with light brown hair gathered at the back. She is dressed in a dark garment accented by a white lace collar and cuffs, and she holds a small, chained object in her hands. The composition is set against an unadorned dark background, directing attention to the sitter’s face and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Maria Cornelisdr van Esch, likely a member of a Dutch family, as indicated by the modest yet refined clothing. The inclusion of the chained object, perhaps a pendant or rosary, suggests personal or devotional significance, while the restrained pose conveys a sense of modesty and poise typical of early‑modern portraiture.
Context
Portraits on copper were popular in the Netherlands during the 17th century, valued for their durability and the crispness they afforded. Such works often served private, familial purposes, commemorating individuals within a domestic setting. The plain background aligns with contemporary conventions that emphasized the sitter’s identity over elaborate scenery.
Artist & collection
