Who painted Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627)?

Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627) was painted by Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt in 1599.

Where can I see Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627)?

Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627) is held by Mauritshuis.

What movement is Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627)?

Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627) is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627)

Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt , 1599

Portrait of Cornelis van Aerssen (1545-1627) is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt. It dates from 1599 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.

About this work

Overview

Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt painted this oil portrait in 1599, presenting the Dutch statesman Cornelis van Aerssen. Executed in the late sixteenth‑century style, the work exemplifies the formal, composed portraiture typical of the period’s courtly commissions. The painting now resides in the Mauritshuis collection, where it is displayed among other Dutch Golden Age works.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Cornelis van Aerssen (1545‑1627), appears with a sober expression, his gaze directed slightly to his right. His receding hairline, neatly trimmed beard and moustache, and the dark garment with a white, ruffled collar convey a dignified, contemplative presence, reflecting his status as a learned and respectable figure in Dutch society.

Technique & Style

Mierevelt employs a restrained Mannerist approach, using chiaroscuro to model the facial features and give the portrait a three‑dimensional quality. Subtle gradations of light and shadow render the skin’s texture and the folds of the clothing, while the controlled palette and precise brushwork underscore the sitter’s gravitas.

History & Provenance

Created at the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the portrait entered the Mauritshuis collection through acquisition in the early twentieth century. Its provenance traces back to private ownership among van Aerssen’s descendants before being transferred to the museum, where it has been conserved and displayed as part of the institution’s Dutch portrait series.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt

Michiel Janszoon (abbr. Jansz.) van Mierevelt (Dutch pronunciation: ; also spelled Miereveld or Miereveldt; 1 May 1566 – 27 June 1641) was a Dutch painter and draftsman of the Dutch Golden Age.