Artwork

Portrait of Margaretha Nelis (1652-17050, second wife of Casparus Commelin

Portrait of Margaretha Nelis (1652-17050, second wife of Casparus Commelin is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist David van der Plas. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

David van der Plas painted this oil portrait in 1700, presenting Margaretha Nelis, the second wife of Casparus Commelin. The canvas is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and measures the typical size for a private portrait of the period. The work focuses on a single seated figure, rendered with careful attention to texture and light.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in a dark red gown trimmed with a light yellow collar, her posture relaxed as one arm rests on a fur-covered drapery. Her direct gaze and composed expression convey a sense of dignity and self‑assurance, qualities often emphasized in portraiture of affluent Dutch women of the early eighteenth century.

Technique & Style

Van der Plas employs a restrained chiaroscuro, allowing illumination to fall on the face and hands while the surrounding space recedes into shadow. The subtle modeling of the fur wrap and the delicate rendering of the fabric’s sheen demonstrate the artist’s skill in depicting varied textures within a relatively muted palette.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the eighteenth century, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century, reflecting the museum’s commitment to representing Dutch portraiture. Its provenance traces back to the family of Casparus Commelin, linking the work to a notable Amsterdam merchant lineage.

Context

The painting belongs to a tradition of Dutch bourgeois portraiture that celebrated personal status through clothing and accessories. The inclusion of luxurious fur and the careful composition align with contemporary conventions that used visual cues to signal wealth and social standing in a rapidly commercializing society.