Artwork
Portrait of Pieter Pietersz Heijn (1577-1629)
Portrait of Pieter Pietersz Heijn (1577-1629) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Unknown. It dates from 1629 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The oil painting titled Portrait of Pieter Pietersz Heijn presents a seated gentleman from the early seventeenth century.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Its composition and presentation reflect contemporary expectations of merchant representation in civic and commercial contexts.
The work depicts the merchant Pieter Pietersz Heijn, a prominent figure in early 17th-century Dutch trade. He is shown in conventional portrait format emphasizing his status and commercial role. The portrait functions as a visual record of a leading figure in Amsterdam's maritime economy during the Dutch Golden Age. Its composition and presentation reflect contemporary expectations of merchant representation in civic and commercial contexts.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, a standard support for 17th-century Dutch portraiture. The surface exhibits the characteristic gloss and layering of oil on panel, with fine brushwork defining facial features and attire. The composition follows the formal conventions of the period, presenting the sitter in three-quarter view against a neutral background, emphasizing clarity of line and muted tonal modeling.
These material and stylistic traits align with workshop practices recorded at the Rijksmuseum, where the painting is housed.
History & Provenance
The work was created in 1629 as an oil paint portrait commissioned by the subject himself, Pieter Pietersz Heijn. It was produced within the workshop of Jan Daemen Cool, as documented by the Rijksmuseum collection records. The painting entered the Rijksmuseum's holdings following its creation, establishing a continuous ownership chain from the artist's workshop to the museum. The work measures 65 cm in height and 50 cm in width, reflecting its original panel dimensions.
The portrait is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work, executed in oil on panel, measures 65 cm in height and 50 cm in width. It is dated to 1629 and attributed to the workshop of Jan Daemen Cool. The provided sources do not contain specific inventory numbers or details regarding the painting's exhibition history.
Overview
The oil painting titled Portrait of Pieter Pietersz Heijn presents a seated gentleman from the early seventeenth century. He is rendered against a dark backdrop, his gaze turned slightly to his right. The composition emphasizes the sitter’s attire, highlighting a crisp white ruffled collar and a dark jacket trimmed with gold detailing on the shoulders and chest.
Artist & collection
