Artwork
Portrait of Aurèle Augustin Coppens (1668-1740)
Portrait of Aurèle Augustin Coppens (1668-1740) is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Jan van Orley. It dates from 1702 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
About this work
Overview
Jan van Orley’s 1702 oil portrait presents Aurèle Augustin Coppens, a notable Brussels figure of the early 18th century. Executed in a restrained, naturalistic manner, the work belongs to the Flemish portrait tradition and is part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
Coppens is shown standing before a stone wall under a cloudy sky, dressed in a red jacket with white cuffs and a brown cloak draped over his arm. He holds a telescope in his right hand and rests his left arm on a stack of books, symbols that hint at scholarly pursuits or exploratory interests.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a smooth oil application typical of Flemish portraiture, allowing fine detail in the fabrics and the reflective surface of the telescope. Van Orley’s handling of light creates subtle contrasts between the figure’s illuminated attire and the muted background, enhancing the three‑dimensional presence of the sitter.
History & Provenance
Created in 1702, the portrait entered the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium at an unspecified date and has remained in the institution’s holdings. Its documentation links it directly to van Orley’s oeuvre, confirming its attribution and situating it within the artist’s body of work beyond his more widely known tapestry designs.
Context
Jan van Orley, primarily recognized for tapestry cartoons and religious commissions, produced relatively few standalone portraits. This work reflects the period’s interest in portraying learned individuals, aligning with the broader European trend of emphasizing personal achievement through visual cues such as books and scientific instruments.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van Orley or Jan van Orley II (4 January 1665, in Brussels – 22 February 1735, in Brussels) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman, printmaker and designer of tapestries.
Museum
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
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