Artwork
Portrait of Vice-Admiral Hendrik Lijnslager, Son of Harmen Lijnslager and Judith Allijn
Portrait of Vice-Admiral Hendrik Lijnslager, Son of Harmen Lijnslager and Judith Allijn is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Guillaume de Spinny. It dates from 1759 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Guillaume de Spinny’s oil portrait, painted in 1759, presents Vice‑Admiral Hendrik Lijnslager, son of Harmen Lijnslager and Judith Allijn. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies mid‑eighteenth‑century Dutch portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown in a dark blue coat trimmed with elaborate gold braiding, holding a cane and wearing a neatly tied white wig. His calm expression, marked by a faint smile and prominent eyebrows, conveys the dignity and authority appropriate to a naval officer of his rank.
Technique & Style
Spinny renders the gold trim with such precision that it appears almost three‑dimensional, while the delicate lace at the cuffs and the texture of the wig demonstrate his skill in handling fine details. The oil medium allows for subtle modelling of flesh tones and a rich, saturated palette.
Context
Behind the admiral, a globe rests on a table and a maritime scene unfolds in the distant background, linking the portrait to Lijnslager’s naval career. Such symbolic elements were common in 18th‑century portraiture to underscore the sitter’s profession and achievements.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has remained in the Netherlands and is now displayed at the Rijksmuseum, where it contributes to the museum’s representation of Dutch maritime history and portraiture.
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