Artwork
Mr. Willem Boreel (1744-1796), magistrate of Amsterdam
Mr. Willem Boreel (1744-1796), magistrate of Amsterdam is an ivory painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Baptiste Perronneau. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1775, this small oval portrait depicts Willem Boreel (1744–1796), a magistrate of Amsterdam.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1775, this small oval portrait depicts Willem Boreel (1744–1796), a magistrate of Amsterdam. Executed on a sheet of ivory, the work measures only a few inches across and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Its delicate rendering and subdued palette reflect the refined sensibility of the late Rococo period.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented with a powdered white wig, pale complexion and dark eyebrows, his steady gaze directed toward the viewer. The composition emphasizes his official status and personal dignity, typical of 18th‑century civic portraiture, while the intimate scale suggests a private commemorative purpose.
Technique & Style
Jean‑Baptiste Perronneau, known for his pastel portraits, employed ivory as a support—a material prized for its smooth, luminous surface. The artist applied thin layers of pigment, allowing the ivory’s natural sheen to enhance the flesh tones and create a subtle glow characteristic of Rococo portraiture.
History & Provenance
The portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its Dutch civic art collection. Its attribution to Perronneau rests on stylistic analysis and documented commissions from the period, confirming its origin in the artist’s Paris workshop.
Context
During the mid‑1700s, Amsterdam’s magistrates often commissioned portraits to assert their authority and social standing. Perronneau’s use of ivory aligns with contemporary trends among elite patrons who sought luxurious, portable works that could be displayed in private chambers.
Legacy
Although less renowned than his pastel oeuvre, this ivory portrait demonstrates Perronneau’s versatility and contributes to the broader understanding of Rococo portraiture’s material experimentation. It remains a rare example of ivory painting in Dutch civic portraiture.
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.
