Artwork
Cornelia Teding van Berkhout (1614-80). Wife of Maerten Harpertsz Tromp
Cornelia Teding van Berkhout (1614-80). Wife of Maerten Harpertsz Tromp is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Jan Lievens. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Executed around 1650, this oil portrait depicts Cornelia Teding van Berkhout, the spouse of the Dutch admiral Maerten Harpertsz Tromp.
About this work
Overview
Executed around 1650, this oil portrait depicts Cornelia Teding van Berkhout, the spouse of the Dutch admiral Maerten Harpertsz Tromp. Painted by Jan Lievens, a contemporary of Rembrandt, the work exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s focus on realistic, individualized portraiture. It is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection in Amsterdam.
Subject & Meaning
Cornelia is presented in an elaborate seventeenth‑century costume, emphasizing her social standing. The white dress, accented with a black fur mantle, and the pearl jewelry convey wealth and refinement, while her composed expression reflects the period’s ideals of modesty and dignity expected of a naval officer’s wife.
Technique & Style
Lievens employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows behind the figure to isolate her face and illuminate the pearls and fur. The careful rendering of textures—silk, fur, and metal—demonstrates his skill in capturing material qualities, a hallmark of Dutch portraiture of the era.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the portrait entered private collections before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Lievens’ career, which included periods in London, Antwerp, The Hague, and Berlin, contributed to the work’s dissemination across Northern Europe during the mid‑seventeenth century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Lievens (24 October 1607 – 4 June 1674) was a Dutch Golden Age painter who was associated with his close contemporary Rembrandt, a year older, in the early parts of their careers.
