Who painted Portrait of an officer?

Portrait of an officer was painted by Wybrand de Geest in 1630-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of an officer?

Portrait of an officer is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of an officer?

Portrait of an officer is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of an officer?

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

Artwork

Portrait of an officer

Wybrand de Geest , 1630

Portrait of an officer is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Wybrand de Geest. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a military officer, as indicated by the work's classification as a portrait and its explicit subject matter.

The painting depicts a military officer, as indicated by the work's classification as a portrait and its explicit subject matter. Wybrand de Geest's 1630 portrait captures the sitter in the genre conventions of Dutch Golden Age portraiture, which typically emphasized the status, profession, and social standing of the subject. The identification of the figure as a military officer suggests the inclusion of iconographic elements associated with military rank and service, though specific details of uniform, insignia, or accessories are not recorded in the available sources.

The work represents the broader tradition of Dutch officer portraiture from this period, serving both as a personal likeness and a statement of professional identity.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on panel, measuring 55.3 × 47.7 cm. As a portrait of a military officer executed in 1630, it exemplifies Dutch Golden Age portraiture through its formal presentation of a military sitter. The use of oil on panel was typical for Dutch portraitists of this period, allowing for precise rendering of textures and details appropriate to the subject's status.

Stylistically, the painting belongs to the portrait genre, with de Geest's approach reflecting the conventions of early seventeenth-century Dutch officer portraiture: direct, dignified, and focused on conveying the sitter's social position through attire and bearing.

History & Provenance

The painting titled Portrait of an officer was created in 1630 by the Dutch artist Wybrand de Geest. Executed in oil paint on a panel support, the work depicts a military officer and measures 55.3 cm in height by 47.7 cm in width. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display.

No specific details regarding the original commissioner or the intermediate ownership history prior to its arrival at the museum are provided in the available records.

Overview

Wybrand de Geest’s oil painting, dated 1630, presents a portrait of a military officer. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and measures the conventions of Dutch portraiture of the early seventeenth century, focusing on the individual’s status and demeanor through careful rendering of attire and expression.