Portrait of Cornelia, Clara and Johanna Veth

Veth applies paint with noticeable impasto, especially in the rendering of the fabrics, creating a tactile surface that catches light. The brushwork is relatively thick and expressive, aligning the piece with late‑19th‑century Impressionist tendencies while retaining a controlled, portrait‑specific precision.

Created during Veth’s active period as both painter and university instructor, the portrait remained within his family before entering the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The museum now houses the work as part of its representation of Dutch portraiture from the turn of the century.

At a time when Dutch artists were engaging with broader European Impressionist currents, Veth combined academic training with a softer, atmospheric approach. This painting reflects his dual role as a critic and practitioner, illustrating how personal subjects could be rendered with contemporary stylistic influences.