Artwork
Portret van een predikant
Portret van een predikant is an ivory painting. It dates from 1725 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is a small portrait executed on a thin sheet of ivory.
About this work
Overview
The work is a small portrait executed on a thin sheet of ivory. It depicts a gentleman wearing a dark coat and a white collar, his hair rendered in loose, feathery strokes. The figure’s gaze turns slightly to the right, and a warm, mottled brown ground provides a subdued backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears to be a clergyman, suggested by the white collar and modest attire. His expression is restrained, conveying a quiet dignity typical of portraiture intended to record personal or professional identity rather than narrative drama.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, contrasting light on the face and collar with deeper shadows on the coat and background. Soft, feather‑like brushwork defines the hair, while the ivory surface enhances the luminous quality of the light areas, giving the portrait a delicate three‑dimensional effect.
History & Provenance
The piece is catalogued as a portrait on ivory, a medium popular for intimate, portable works in the 17th and 18th centuries. No further details about its creator or ownership history are recorded in the available documentation.
Artist & collection
