Artwork
Portrait of gouverneur-generaal Jeremias van Riemsdijk
Portrait of gouverneur-generaal Jeremias van Riemsdijk is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Franciscus Josephus Fricot. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Unlike conventional oil paintings, the work is a relief carved from brass, giving it a metallic sheen that emphasizes the figure’s attire and posture.
Created in 1775, this three‑dimensional portrait of Jeremias van Riemsdijk was executed by the Dutch artist Franciscus Josephus Fricot. Unlike conventional oil paintings, the work is a relief carved from brass, giving it a metallic sheen that emphasizes the figure’s attire and posture. The piece is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is displayed among other eighteenth‑century Dutch artifacts.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Jeremias van Riemsdijk, served as governor‑general of the Dutch East Indies, a position of considerable authority in the colonial administration. His solemn expression, formal gray coat, and powdered wig convey the gravitas associated with high office, while the rigid stance underscores the disciplined demeanor expected of a colonial official.
Technique & Style
Fricot employed brass carving to render the portrait, a technique uncommon for portraiture in the period. The metal surface allows for sharp contrasts between light and shadow, especially against the dark background, highlighting the subject’s facial features and the intricate detailing of his coat, which appears to be fashioned from metal rather than fabric.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the late eighteenth century, the brass portrait has remained in Dutch collections, eventually entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. Its preservation in brass has contributed to its durability, enabling the museum to present it as a representative example of colonial-era portraiture and the material experimentation of Dutch artists of the time.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 18th-century Dutch painter specialized in portrait medallions cast in brass, copper, and bronze.
