Artwork

Portrait of Everard Meyster, Poet in Utrecht

Portrait of Everard Meyster, Poet in Utrecht, by Arnoud van Halen, oil, 1716
Portrait of Everard Meyster, Poet in Utrecht, by Arnoud van Halen, oil, 1716

Portrait of Everard Meyster, Poet in Utrecht is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Arnoud van Halen. It dates from 1716 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about this style of painting, you might want to look into the work of artist Arnoud van Halen.

This portrait is painted on a tin plate and features a man with long, dark hair and a mustache. He is dressed in a dark robe with a white collar and a light blue sash. The background of the painting is a solid gray color.

The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest that it was created in the early 18th century. The use of tin as a medium is also notable, as it was not a common material for paintings during this time period.

If you're interested in learning more about this style of painting, you might want to look into the work of artist Arnoud van Halen.

Overview

Arnoud van Halen's Portrait of Everard Meyster, Poet in Utrecht, dated 1716, is a unique tin plate painting housed at the Rijksmuseum. It portrays a man identified as Everard Meyster, distinguished by his long, dark hair, mustache, and attire characteristic of the early 18th century.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Everard Meyster, is depicted in a formal, contemplative pose, suggesting his profession as a poet. His dark robe, white collar, and light blue sash convey a sense of modest elegance, potentially reflecting the poetic circles of Utrecht during that era.

Technique & Style

Notably executed on tin, a rare medium for paintings of its time, the work showcases van Halen's adaptation of traditional techniques to an unconventional surface. The solid gray background focuses attention on the sitter, while the overall style aligns with the early 18th-century portrait conventions.

History & Provenance

Created in 1716 by Arnoud van Halen, the portrait is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, providing a tangible link to Utrecht's literary scene of the period.

Context

The use of tin as a painting medium, though unusual, may indicate the artist's experimentation or the sitter's preferences. The portrait reflects the intersection of artistic and literary cultures in early 18th-century Utrecht.

Legacy

While specific impacts of the portrait on broader art historical trends are not widely documented, it remains a distinctive example of early 18th-century Dutch portraiture and the work of Arnoud van Halen, offering insights into the era's lesser-known artistic practices.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Arnoud van Halen

Artist

Arnoud van Halen

Arnoud van Halen (1673–1732) was an artist, born in Amsterdam.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.