Artwork

Portrait of Maria Christina Nijssen, Wife of Anthonie van der Hout

Christiaan Julius Lodewijk Portman , 1826

Portrait of Maria Christina Nijssen, Wife of Anthonie van der Hout is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Christiaan Julius Lodewijk Portman. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Christiaan Julius Lodewijk Portman's 1826 oil portrait depicts Maria Christina Nijssen, the spouse of Anthonie van der Hout. Executed in the early nineteenth century, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The composition presents the sitter seated, her hands resting on a red cushion, against a muted backdrop that emphasizes her features.

Subject & Meaning

Maria Christina is shown in a dark green dress with a high lace collar, complemented by a pearl necklace that signals her social standing. Her hair is arranged in a tall, curly updo, and a slight smile suggests a restrained confidence typical of genteel portraiture of the period.

Technique & Style

Portman renders the folds of the dress with meticulous attention, capturing the texture of fabric through subtle gradations of light. The artist employs a restrained chiaroscuro, allowing the dark background to frame the illuminated face and skin, thereby enhancing the three‑dimensionality of the figure.

History & Provenance

Created in 1826, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its early nineteenth‑century Dutch collection. Its provenance traces back to the Hout family, reflecting the practice of commissioning private family portraits for display in domestic settings.