Where can I see Portrait of Nicolaes Grevinckhoven (1577-1632)?

Portrait of Nicolaes Grevinckhoven (1577-1632) is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Nicolaes Grevinckhoven (1577-1632)?

Portrait of Nicolaes Grevinckhoven (1577-1632) is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Portrait of Nicolaes Grevinckhoven (1577-1632)

Portrait of Nicolaes Grevinckhoven (1577-1632) is an oil painting. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This oil portrait presents Nicolaes Grevinckhoven, a Dutch figure who lived from 1577 to 1632.

About this work

The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and dimension to the portrait.

The painting depicts a man with dark hair and a short beard, wearing a black shirt with a white ruffled collar. He is shown from the chest up, facing forward with a neutral expression. The background of the painting is dark, which helps to highlight the subject's features.

The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest that it was created during the early 17th century. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and dimension to the portrait.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts Nicolaes Grevinckhoven (1577–1632), a specific individual identified as the sitter in this 1619 oil painting. Executed on panel, the portrait falls within the genre of portraiture, serving primarily to record the likeness of its subject. The piece is attributed to the circle of Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt, reflecting the artistic conventions of the period for representing prominent figures.

As a formal portrait, the work functions as a visual record of Grevinckhoven's appearance at the time of its creation.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, a technique typical of early‑seventeenth‑century Dutch portraiture. Both sources identify the medium as oil paint and the support as a panel, confirming the painting’s material makeup. Stylistically, it is attributed to the circle of Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt, reflecting his restrained yet detailed approach to likeness.

The panel measures approximately 55.5 cm in height and 45.0 cm in width, presenting a modest, upright format suited to intimate display.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Nicolaes Grevinckhoven was painted in 1619 as an oil painting on panel, created within the circle of Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt. It entered the collection of the Museum Catharijneconvent, which is part of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. The work was commissioned to depict the sitter, Nicolaas Grevinckhoven, and its creation is dated to 1619 based on the inception recorded in the source. The painting measures 55.5 cm in height and 45.0 cm in width.

Overview

This oil portrait presents Nicolaes Grevinckhoven, a Dutch figure who lived from 1577 to 1632. Rendered from the chest upward, the sitter faces the viewer directly, his expression restrained. The composition is set against a deep, unlit background that isolates the figure and emphasizes his facial features.