Artwork
Herman Wolters (1682-1756). husband of the painter
Herman Wolters (1682-1756). husband of the painter is an ivory painting by the Rococo painting artist Henriette Wolters-van Pee. It dates from 1726 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Henriette Wolters‑van Pee’s 1726 ivory portrait presents her husband, Herman Wolters (1682–1756).
About this work
Overview
Henriette Wolters‑van Pee’s 1726 ivory portrait presents her husband, Herman Wolters (1682–1756). The work is a compact, circular relief that now belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Its modest dimensions and delicate material give the piece an intimate character, while the surrounding dark metal frame with a textured gold edge highlights the carved surface.
Subject & Meaning
The figure depicted is Herman Wolters, a man of advancing age with white hair and a solemn expression. He is dressed in a brown coat over a white shirt, attire that conveys his respectable status. The portrait’s focus on his dignified demeanor suggests a personal tribute rather than a formal public commission.
Technique & Style
Carved from a single piece of ivory, the relief demonstrates fine modeling of facial features and clothing folds, achieved through meticulous incising. The artist’s handling of the ivory’s smooth surface allows subtle gradations of light and shadow, while the dark metal rim with a gold‑toned border provides a contrasting frame that accentuates the work’s refined detail.
History & Provenance
Created in 1726, the portrait remained within the Wolters family before entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Dutch portrait collection. Its survival in good condition reflects both the durability of ivory and the care afforded to it over nearly three centuries.
Context
In the early eighteenth century, it was uncommon for a woman artist to produce a portrait of her spouse, making Henriette Wolters‑van Pee’s work noteworthy. The piece reflects the domestic artistic practice of the period, where personal commissions often employed modest materials and scale, contrasting with larger, public portraiture of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henriette Wolters-van Pee (1682–1741) was an artist, born in Amsterdam.
