Artwork
Portrait of the Children of Barend Goudriaan
Portrait of the Children of Barend Goudriaan is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Cornelis van Cuylenburgh. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis van Cuylenburgh’s oil painting, dated 1788, presents a domestic portrait of three children from the family of Barend Goudriaan. Executed in a modest size, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies late‑18th‑century Dutch portraiture, focusing on intimate family moments rather than formal, public display.
Subject & Meaning
The youngest boy, dressed in a dark coat with prominent buttons, holds a feather quill poised above an open book, suggesting education.
The composition centers on three youngsters arranged in a warm interior. The youngest boy, dressed in a dark coat with prominent buttons, holds a feather quill poised above an open book, suggesting education. A girl in an elaborate dress with a lace cap rests her arm on his shoulder, while an older sister, positioned above, holds a red fan, indicating refinement and social status within the household.
Technique & Style
Van Cuylenburgh employs a chiaroscuro effect, allowing the children’s faces to emerge from a deep, shadowed background. The rendering of the boy’s hand and the quill’s plumage demonstrates meticulous attention to texture, while the subtle gradations of light create a soft glow that emphasizes the subjects’ expressions and clothing details.
History & Provenance
Created in 1788, the portrait remained in private ownership before entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s representation of Dutch portraiture from the Enlightenment era. Its provenance reflects the typical journey of family commissions from domestic settings to public institutions.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis van Cuylenburgh (1758–1827) was an artist, born in Utrecht.
