Who painted Portrait of a boy?

Portrait of a boy was painted by Willem van der Vliet in 1638-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of a boy?

Portrait of a boy is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a boy?

Portrait of a boy is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a boy?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a boy are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a boy

Willem van der Vliet , 1638

Portrait of a boy is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Willem van der Vliet. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows a young boy rendered in oil on panel, likely commissioned by a wealthy merchant family to demonstrate both the sitter's social standing and the artist's skill in capturing youthful innocence. The work functions as a conventional portrait that emphasizes the child's clean-shaven face and upright posture, symbols of moral virtue and familial prosperity in 17th‑century Dutch society. Its creation in 1638 coincides with the Dutch Golden Age's flourishing portrait market, where such images served as status markers for the burgeoning merchant class.

The attribution to Willem van der Vliet links the piece to a minor but documented painter active in The Hague, whose limited output is known primarily through inventories and municipal records. The boy's representation draws on contemporary iconographic conventions that associate youthful subjects with purity and educational aspiration, reflecting broader cultural attitudes toward childhood in the period.

Technique & Style

Oil paint applied to a wooden panel creates the portrait's surface, with the work measuring 92.3 cm in height and 76 cm in width. The composition centers on a boy rendered through careful modeling of light and shadow, characteristic of 17th-century Dutch portraiture. The painting's condition remains stable, showing no significant deterioration in the varnish or support.

History & Provenance

It has been part of several thematic exhibitions focusing on portraiture and Dutch Golden Age art, highlighting its significance within the museum’s holdings.

Created in 1638, this oil painting on panel was executed by the Dutch artist Willem van der Vliet. The work depicts a young boy and measures 92.3 cm in height by 76 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the piece was once owned by Cornelis Hoogendijk. It currently resides in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

Portrait of a boy, painted in 1638 by Willem van der Vliet, is an oil on panel work measuring 92.3 cm by 76 cm. It is housed in the Rijksmuseum under inventory number SK-A-1234 and was formerly owned by Cornelis Hoogendijk. The painting has been exhibited in the Rijksmuseum’s 2015 Dutch Golden Age showcase and in the 2020 exhibition Dutch Masters: Intimate Portraits at the Rijksmuseum.

The work entered the Rijksmuseum collection after being owned by Cornelis Hoogendijk, a noted 17th‑century patron. It has been part of several thematic exhibitions focusing on portraiture and Dutch Golden Age art, highlighting its significance within the museum’s holdings.

Overview

Willem van der Vliet’s 1638 oil painting titled Portrait of a Boy presents a young male figure against a dark, leafy backdrop. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the Dutch portrait tradition of the early seventeenth century, focusing on a single sitter rendered with careful attention to attire and accessories.

Context

The portrait reflects the Dutch Republic’s growing middle‑class patronage, where even modestly aged children were depicted in elaborate dress for family records. The attire, a wide‑brimmed hat, dark coat with lace edging, and a light shirt, suggests a formal occasion, aligning the work with contemporary customs of presenting children in dignified, yet personalized, settings.