Artwork
Portrait of Bartholomeus van der Wiere (1534-1603)
Portrait of Bartholomeus van der Wiere (1534-1603) is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Jan Claesz.. It dates from 1597 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
The painting features a man with a thick, brown beard and dark hair, dressed in a black, long-sleeved shirt with a high collar.
The painting features a man with a thick, brown beard and dark hair, dressed in a black, long-sleeved shirt with a high collar. He stands behind a table with his right hand resting on a red book, while his left hand is raised, palm facing outward. The background consists of a stone archway with a clock on the right side and a wall with an inscription on the left.
The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the 16th century. The use of dark colors and the subject's serious expression contribute to a somber atmosphere.
To learn more about the artist's technique, explore the use of chiaroscuro.
Overview
Jan Claesz., an active painter in the Dutch Republic between 1594 and 1618, executed this oil portrait in 1597. The work, now part of the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, presents a single male sitter rendered in the Northern Renaissance style.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is a mature man with a full brown beard and dark hair, dressed in a black, high‑collared shirt. He rests his right hand on a red book while his left hand is raised, palm outward, conveying a composed, solemn demeanor.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs chiaroscuro to model the sitter’s features against a muted background. Dark tonalities dominate, and the careful handling of light creates a restrained, three‑dimensional presence typical of late‑16th‑century portraiture.
Context
The background includes a stone archway with a clock on the right and a wall bearing an inscription on the left, elements that situate the portrait within an interior setting common to Dutch civic and private commissions of the period.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the portrait has remained in the Netherlands and is currently displayed in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, reflecting its continued relevance to Dutch art historical narratives.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Claesz. (c. 1570 – 1618) was a painter from the Dutch Republic. Claesz was probably born in Enkhuizen, where he was active during the years 1594–1618.
