Who painted Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz?

Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz was painted by Adriaan de Lelie in 1813.

Where can I see Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz?

Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz?

Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz is associated with Neoclassicism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz

Adriaan de Lelie , 1813

Portrait of the Poet Barend Klijn Barendsz is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Adriaan de Lelie. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Adriaan de Lel’s 1813 oil portrait presents the Dutch poet Barend Klijn Barendsz seated at a table.

About this work

The painting's attention to detail and the subject's introspective expression invite the viewer to explore the world of literature and poetry.

The painting depicts a man seated at a table, wearing a brown coat and a black hat. He holds a book in his right hand, with his left hand resting on the table. The background of the painting is a dark brown color.

The man's attire and the book he holds suggest that he is a man of letters, possibly a poet or writer. The painting's style and the use of oil paint on canvas indicate that it was created in the early 19th century.

The painting's attention to detail and the subject's introspective expression invite the viewer to explore the world of literature and poetry. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up Adriaan de Lelie.

Overview

Adriaan de Lel’s 1813 oil portrait presents the Dutch poet Barend Klijn Barendsz seated at a table. Rendered in a restrained neoclassical manner, the canvas measures a modest size and now belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The composition focuses on the sitter’s thoughtful pose, illuminated against a dark brown backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

Barendsz is shown in a brown coat and black hat, his right hand grasping a book while his left rests on the tabletop. The inclusion of the volume and his contemplative expression underscore his identity as a man of letters, inviting viewers to consider the intellectual pursuits of early‑19th‑century Dutch poetry.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work displays de Lel’s precise handling of light and shadow, a subtle chiaroscuro that models the figure against the muted background. The neoclassical influence appears in the balanced composition and restrained palette, reflecting the artist’s academic training.

History & Provenance

De Lel, educated in Tilburg and Antwerp, honed his craft copying works by Rubens, van Dyck, and other Italian and Dutch masters before establishing his career in Amsterdam on the recommendation of Professor Camper. The portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on public display.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Adriaan de Lelie

Adriaan de Lelie (19 May 1755 – 30 November 1820) was a Dutch painter. He was born in Tilburg. De Lelie was a pupil of A. Peeters, a painter of tapestries and ornaments, and afterwards of Andreas Bernardus de…