Artwork

Willem Sautijn (1703-43), Alderman of Amsterdam

Willem Sautijn (1703-43), Alderman of Amsterdam, by Jean Fournier, unspecified, 1734
Willem Sautijn (1703-43), Alderman of Amsterdam, by Jean Fournier, unspecified, 1734

Willem Sautijn (1703-43), Alderman of Amsterdam is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean Fournier. It dates from 1734 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This portrait depicts Willem Sautijn, an alderman of Amsterdam, in a formal standing pose, captured from the waist up beside a table.

About this work

Overview

This portrait depicts Willem Sautijn, an alderman of Amsterdam, in a formal standing pose, captured from the waist up beside a table. The subject is attired in a dark coat, holding a folded paper secured with a ribbon, likely indicating his official capacity.

Subject & Meaning

Willem Sautijn, the portrait's subject, held the position of alderman (schepen) in Amsterdam. The folded, ribbon-tied paper in his hand may symbolize an official document or seal, emphasizing his municipal role rather than personal character.

Technique & Style

While the artist remains unidentified, the painting's composition and attention to detail (such as the ribbon and paper) reflect common practices in 18th-century Dutch portraiture, prioritizing the subject's status.

History & Provenance

Created during Sautijn's lifetime (1703-43), the painting's origin and early ownership history are not specified, though its purpose was clearly to represent Sautijn's official standing.

Context

Comparisons with other 18th-century portraits of Amsterdam officials at institutions like the Rijksmuseum provide insight into the standard attire and symbolic elements used to depict municipal authority during this period.

Legacy

The portrait serves primarily as a historical record of Willem Sautijn's position within Amsterdam's governance, offering a glimpse into the representation of civic authority in early 18th-century Dutch art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jean Fournier

Jean Fournier (1700–1765) was an artist.

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.