Artwork
Portrait of Catharina Pottey (1641-1718), sister of Willem and Sara Pottey
Portrait of Catharina Pottey (1641-1718), sister of Willem and Sara Pottey is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Nicolaes Maes painted this oil portrait of Catharina Pottey in 1694, near the end of his career when he was the foremost portraitist in Amsterdam. The work exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age, a time of artistic vigor and commercial prosperity in the Netherlands. It now belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is Catharina Pottey, identified as the sister of Willem and Sara Pottey. She is shown in a sumptuous golden‑brown gown with a white collar, pearl necklace and earrings, conveying the status and refinement expected of a woman of her social standing. The inclusion of a modest floral arrangement on the table adds a gentle domestic touch.
Technique & Style
Maes employs chiaroscuro, contrasting the illuminated figure against a dark backdrop to model form and give the portrait a three‑dimensional presence. The subtle landscape hinted at in the upper right corner extends the spatial depth. Fine brushwork renders the texture of fabric and pearls, while the controlled lighting highlights the sitter’s face and hands.
History & Provenance
Created late in Maes’s life, the portrait reflects his mature style after years of apprenticeship with Rembrandt. It entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of the museum’s effort to represent Dutch portraiture of the period. No further changes of ownership are recorded beyond its acquisition by the museum.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.
