Artwork
Portrait of Theodorus Schrevelius (1572-1653)
Portrait of Theodorus Schrevelius (1572-1653) 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. Arnold van Halen’s 1716 portrait presents Theodorus Schrevelius, a Dutch scholar of the early seventeenth century.
About this work
Overview
Arnold van Halen’s 1716 portrait presents Theodorus Schrevelius, a Dutch scholar of the early seventeenth century. Executed on a tin panel, the work measures roughly an oval format and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The composition centers the sitter, who holds a book, against a dark backdrop that emphasizes his solemn demeanor.
Subject & Meaning
Theodorus Schrevelius (1572‑1653) was a noted poet, historian, and educator, and the portrait reflects his intellectual stature. By depicting him with a book and a serious gaze, van Halen underscores Schrevelius’s scholarly pursuits and his role in the cultural life of the Dutch Republic, inviting viewers to consider the weight of knowledge he embodied.
Technique & Style
The painting’s surface is tin, an uncommon support that yields a smooth, luminous finish distinct from canvas or wood. Van Halen employs a restrained palette of deep blacks and muted tones, allowing the crisp white of the ruffled collar and the book’s pages to stand out. The oval shape and subdued lighting create a focused, contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1716, more than sixty years after Schrevelius’s death, the portrait likely served a commemorative purpose, perhaps for a family or institutional collection. It entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings in the twentieth century, where it remains on display as a representative example of early‑modern Dutch portraiture on metal.
Artist & collection
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Portrait of Jan van der Veen, Pharmacist and Poet in Deventer
Portrait of Marcus Zuërius van Boxhorn, Historian and Professor at Leiden
Portrait of Petrus Baard, Physician and Poet from Leeuwarden
