Who painted November, with the Sign of Sagittarius?

November, with the Sign of Sagittarius was painted by Jan Kamphuysen in 1796.

Where can I see November, with the Sign of Sagittarius?

November, with the Sign of Sagittarius is held by Rijksmuseum.

Artwork

November, with the Sign of Sagittarius

November, with the Sign of Sagittarius is an oil painting by Jan Kamphuysen. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Jan Kamphuysen, an Amsterdam‑born painter of the late eighteenth century, completed the oil work *November, with the Sign of Sagittarius* in 1796. The canvas is a vertically oriented rectangle divided by a thin vertical band, creating two distinct narrative zones. The piece belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

Adjacent, a bearded male head is framed by leaves, accompanied by a goat and a dog, suggesting themes of fertility and pastoral abundance.

The left compartment presents a cherubic figure clutching a basket of foliage, beneath which a bird’s nest with eggs rests. Adjacent, a bearded male head is framed by leaves, accompanied by a goat and a dog, suggesting themes of fertility and pastoral abundance. The right side contains a vase bearing a human face, a theatrical mask, and a cloaked figure in white, elements that hint at allegorical or seasonal symbolism linked to the zodiac sign Sagittarius.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a restrained palette of browns, greens, and beiges, lending it a subdued, refined atmosphere. The composition balances detailed figuration with flat decorative surfaces, reflecting Kamphuysen’s background in theatrical set design and interior decoration.

History & Provenance

Kamphuysen, who trained under theatre decorator Pieter Barbiers, produced works ranging from interior schemes to landscapes and historical allegories. After its creation in 1796, *November, with the Sign of Sagittarius* entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Dutch painting collection.