Artwork
Arent van der Waeyen
Arent van der Waeyen is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Baptiste Perronneau. It dates from 1763 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1763, this portrait depicts Arent van der Waeyen, an elderly gentleman rendered in profile. Executed in pastel on canvas, the work belongs to the Rococo period and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. The composition isolates the sitter against a dark, uniform backdrop, directing attention to his facial features and attire.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown facing left, dressed in a black coat with a white cravat, his long, loosely gathered curls framing his face. The restrained pose and sober clothing suggest a dignified, perhaps civic, status, while the intimate scale of the portrait reflects the period’s interest in individualized representation.
Technique & Style
Perronneau employed delicate pastel application, using fine, feather‑light strokes to model the illumination across the cheekbones and eyes. Subtle gradations of tone create a gentle chiaroscuro effect, softening shadows and giving the skin a velvety appearance. The limited palette and smooth handling are characteristic of his portrait practice within the Rococo aesthetic.
History & Provenance
Jean‑Baptiste Perronneau, a French painter noted for his pastel portraits, produced this work during his mature phase. After changing hands among private collectors, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum collection, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing.
Context
In the mid‑18th century, pastel became a favored medium for portraiture in France and the Netherlands, valued for its immediacy and luminous quality. Perronneau’s approach aligns with contemporary trends that emphasized elegance and refined surface treatment, positioning the piece within broader Rococo artistic currents.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Baptiste Perronneau (French pronunciation: ; c. 1716 – 19 November 1783) was a French Rococo painter and draughtsman, best known for his portrait pastels.
