Artwork

Portrait of Coenraad van Heemskerck, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, Lord of Achttienhoven and Den Bosch

Portrait of Coenraad van Heemskerck, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, Lord of Achttienhoven and Den Bosch is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Mattheus Verheyden. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1750, this oil on canvas portrait by Dutch painter Mattheus Verheyden depicts Coenraad van Heemskerck, a nobleman entitled Count of the Holy Roman Empire and lord of Achttienhoven and Den Bosch. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and presents the sitter in a composed, formal pose, accompanied by a large white dog.

Subject & Meaning

Coenraad van Heemskerck is shown wearing a dark blue coat trimmed with gold embroidery and a white cravat, his carefully arranged curly wig framing a calm, serious expression. The presence of the dog, poised on his shoulder, reinforces themes of loyalty and status, common in 18th‑century aristocratic portraiture.

Technique & Style

Verheyden employs a restrained palette, letting the deep blue of the coat and the bright white of the dog dominate the composition. Fine brushwork renders the metallic sheen of the gold buttons and the texture of the fur, while a dark, unadorned background isolates the figures, enhancing their three‑dimensional presence.

History & Provenance

The portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings after a series of private ownerships, reflecting the typical trajectory of Dutch noble portraits from family collections to public institutions. Documentation dates its creation to the mid‑18th century, aligning with Verheyden’s active period in The Hague.

Context

In the mid‑1700s Dutch portraiture often emphasized the sitter’s rank through luxurious dress and symbolic accessories. Verheyden’s depiction follows this convention, using clothing details and the canine companion to convey Heemskerck’s aristocratic identity within the broader European noble culture of the time.