Artwork
Portrait of Jacob Gerritsz van der Mij (1559/60-1635?)
Portrait of Jacob Gerritsz van der Mij (1559/60-1635?) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Joris van Schooten. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Joris van Schooten, a Dutch painter active during the early 17th‑century Golden Age, executed this portrait on a wooden panel in 1630. The work records the likeness of Jacob Gerritsz van der Mij, a civic figure born around 1559/60 who died in the mid‑1630s. It is presently part of the Rijksmuseum’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears as an elderly gentleman, his expression solemn and composed. He wears a stark white ruff, a fashionable accessory among affluent men of the period, and a dark coat accented by a modest chain. The plain, shadowed backdrop eliminates distractions, directing attention to his facial features and suggesting a focus on personal status rather than narrative.
Technique & Style
Van Schooten renders the portrait with careful observation of light, employing subtle chiaroscuro to model the face and fabric.
Van Schooten renders the portrait with careful observation of light, employing subtle chiaroscuro to model the face and fabric. The contrast between the illuminated ruff and the deep background creates a three‑dimensional effect, while fine brushwork captures the texture of hair and the sheen of the chain. The overall composition reflects the restrained elegance typical of Dutch portraiture of the era.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has remained in the Netherlands, eventually entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. Documentation links the work to the museum’s collection through acquisition records, confirming its attribution to van Schooten and its identification of Jacob Gerritsz van der Mij as the sitter.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Joris van Schooten (1587–1651) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and the uncle of the Leiden mathematician Frans van Schooten.
