Who painted Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel?

Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel was painted by Jacobus Buys in 1766.

Where can I see Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel?

Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel?

Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel

Jacobus Buys , 1766

Portrait of Cornelis Ploos van Amstel is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Jacobus Buys. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

The portrait depicts Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, an 18th‑century Amsterdam timber merchant, seated at a desk in a red coat while examining a small copper plate. A wooden screen positioned before a window diffuses the daylight, providing even illumination for his work.

Subject & Meaning

Ploos van Amstel is shown in the act of his own inventive print‑making, highlighting his role not only as a merchant but also as a designer, draughtsman, and publisher. The composition underscores his contribution to the reproduction of drawings, a practice that facilitated broader artistic exchange.

Technique & Style

The artist rendered the scene with careful attention to light and texture, using the soft, filtered glow from the screen to model the surfaces of the coat, desk, and copper plate. The realistic handling of material qualities reflects the Dutch portrait tradition of the period.

History & Provenance

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel was a founding member of the Felix Meritis Society and amassed a notable collection of drawings, paintings, coins, medals, and sculptures. His own innovations in print‑making, particularly a method for creating facsimile reproductions of drawings, are documented through works such as this portrait.

Context

The painting situates Ploos van Amstel within the intellectual and artistic milieu of Amsterdam’s Enlightenment era, where societies like Felix Meritis promoted scientific and artistic advancement. His dual identity as a merchant and a cultural patron reflects the period’s intertwining of commerce and the arts.