Artwork
Portrait of Johan Arnold Zoutman
Portrait of Johan Arnold Zoutman is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Cornelis van Cuylenburgh. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Painted in 1801 by Cornelis van Cuylenburgh, the Portrait of Johan Arnold Zoutman depicts the Dutch naval officer in a formal, three-quarter length stance.
Painted in 1801 by Cornelis van Cuylenburgh, the Portrait of Johan Arnold Zoutman depicts the Dutch naval officer in a formal, three-quarter length stance. The composition places the sitter against a dark, neutral curtain that isolates his figure and emphasizes his attire: a black coat with gold trim over a red waistcoat featuring intricate gold embroidery. Zoutman stands with a table to his left, upon which rests a rolled document and a map, visual cues referencing his administrative and strategic duties. He holds a sword in his right hand, a traditional symbol of his military rank and authority. This work exemplifies the late 18th-century Dutch portrait tradition, balancing individual likeness with the iconography of public service. Created during a period of political transition in the Netherlands, the painting serves as a dignified record of Zoutman's career, utilizing the artist's precise technique to render the textures of fabric and metal. Van Cuylenburgh, active primarily in Amsterdam, produced this portrait to commemorate the subject's status, adhering to the conventions of elite portraiture where personal identity is constructed through specific props and costume details.
Subject & Meaning
Zoutman is shown in a red waistcoat trimmed with gold, a black jacket, and a sword in his right hand, emphasizing his rank and authority. A cane rests in his left hand, while a rolled document, a sword, and a spread map on a nearby table allude to his strategic role in naval affairs.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the portrait employs a restrained palette of deep shadows and bright highlights to model the figure’s features. The dark curtain and subtle atmospheric background, including a clouded sky and distant ship, create depth and lend a sense of gravitas typical of early‑19th‑century Dutch portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1801, the painting has remained in the Netherlands, eventually entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. Its attribution to van Cuylenburgh aligns with the artist’s known practice of depicting prominent military figures of the period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis van Cuylenburgh (1758–1827) was an artist, born in Utrecht.
