Who painted Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist's Wife?

Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist's Wife was painted by Jacob Maris in 1867.

Where can I see Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist's Wife?

Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist's Wife is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist's Wife?

Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist's Wife is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist's Wife

Jacob Maris , 1867

Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist's Wife is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jacob Maris. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Jacob Maris created the oil painting titled *Portrait of Catharina Hendrika Horn, the Artist’s Wife* in 1867. Executed in a realist manner typical of the Hague School, the work presents a quiet, intimate view of the artist’s spouse. The canvas is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is displayed among other 19th‑century Dutch works.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures Catharina Hendrika Horn in a three‑quarter profile, her dark hair gathered back and a simple white collar framing her face. A subtle blush colors her cheeks, suggesting a gentle, contemplative mood. The composition emphasizes personal presence over narrative, offering a glimpse into the domestic sphere of the painter’s life.

Technique & Style

Maris employs loose, expressive brushwork, particularly evident in the rendering of the dress and background. Areas of thick impasto create a tactile surface, while softer, blurred strokes convey atmospheric light. The palette of muted greens and yellows underlies the figure, contributing to the warm, unpolished quality characteristic of his realist approach.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the portrait entered the private holdings of the Horn family before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum in the early 20th century. Its provenance reflects the typical path of Dutch realist works, moving from personal commission to public institution, where it now serves as a representative example of Maris’s early oeuvre.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacob Maris

Jacob Henricus Maris (August 25, 1837 – August 7, 1899) was a Dutch painter, who with his brothers Willem and Matthijs belonged to what has come to be known as the Hague School of painters.