Artwork
Farmer from Laren, North Holland
Farmer from Laren, North Holland is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Martinus van Regteren Altena. It dates from 1902 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1902, *Farmer from Laren, North Holland* is an oil painting by Dutch artist Martinus van Regteren Altena. The work portrays an elderly farmer seated against a modest interior, his weathered face illuminated by a gentle light. The composition reflects Altena’s focus on individual likenesses during the early 1900s, and the piece now belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait centers on a senior farmer, his lined visage and light eyes conveying a sense of lived experience. The figure’s simple attire—a dark coat with visible buttons—emphasizes his modest status, while the surrounding furnishings hint at a domestic setting. The painting invites contemplation of rural identity and the dignity of everyday labor in the Dutch countryside.
Technique & Style
Altena employs a loose, Impressionist approach, using thick, textured brushstrokes—particularly on the skin—to render the farmer’s wrinkles with tactile realism. Soft, focused illumination highlights facial details against a darker background, creating depth. The impasto application builds a palpable surface, while the overall palette remains muted, reinforcing the work’s intimate atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Active in Amsterdam’s artistic circles, Altena exhibited regularly between 1901 and 1906, a period that includes the creation of this portrait. A member of the Arti et Amicitiae society, he produced works primarily in portraiture, design, and printmaking. After its completion, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display.
Context
At the turn of the twentieth century, Dutch painters often turned to rural subjects to explore national character. Altena’s choice of a Laren farmer aligns with this trend, reflecting a broader Impressionist interest in capturing fleeting light and the texture of everyday life. The work thus situates itself within both regional genre painting and the wider European Impressionist movement.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martinus van Regteren Altena (19 September 1866 – 10 October 1908) was a Dutch portrait painter, etcher and lithographer.
