Artwork

Portrait of Frans Godin, Poet in Brussels

Portrait of Frans Godin, Poet in Brussels, by Jan Maurits Quinkhard, oil, 1750
Portrait of Frans Godin, Poet in Brussels, by Jan Maurits Quinkhard, oil, 1750

Portrait of Frans Godin, Poet in Brussels is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jan Maurits Quinkhard. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1750 by Dutch artist Jan Maurits Quinkhard, this portrait is executed on a copper support. It presents Frans Godin, a poet active in Brussels, seated in a composed pose. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the refined intimacy characteristic of mid‑eighteenth‑century portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified as the poet Frans Godin, is shown with long, wavy hair and a moustache, dressed in a dark jacket trimmed with white lace over a crisp white shirt. The subdued brown background focuses attention on his dignified appearance, suggesting the cultural status and cultivated elegance associated with literary figures of the period.

Technique & Style

Quinkhard employed the smooth, luminous surface of copper to achieve delicate modeling and subtle tonal transitions. The painting’s handling reflects Rococo sensibilities, with a light touch, graceful lines, and a restrained palette that enhances the portrait’s intimate atmosphere.

History & Provenance

After its creation in the 1750s, the portrait entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on view. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s Dutch workshop, though earlier ownership details are not recorded in surviving documentation.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jan Maurits Quinkhard

Artist

Jan Maurits Quinkhard

Jan Maurits Quinkhard (28 January 1688 – 11 November 1772) was an 18th-century painter and print designer from the Dutch Republic.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.