Artwork

Portrait of one of the brothers Van der Burch, probably Arent van der Burch (1621-1691), 1656

Portrait of one of the brothers Van der Burch, probably Arent van der Burch (1621-1691), 1656 is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Philips Koninck. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, adds depth to the image.

The painting depicts a man with long brown hair, wearing a dark robe with a white lace collar and cuffs. He is seated with his left hand resting on his lap, and his right arm is draped over the back of a chair. The background is dark, with a green table to the left featuring a red cloth and a brown hat.

The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the 17th century. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark, adds depth to the image.

To learn more about the artist behind this work, look up Philips Koninck.

Overview

Executed in 1656, this oil painting presents a seated gentleman in a dark interior, rendered with the chiaroscuro typical of mid‑17th‑century Dutch portraiture. The figure’s long brown hair, dark robe trimmed with white lace, and the subdued background create a solemn, formal atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is identified as Arent van der Burch (1621‑1691), a member of the prominent van der Burch family. He is positioned at a table, his left hand resting on his lap and his right arm draped over the chair’s back, a pose that conveys both status and contemplative poise.

Technique & Style

Philips Koninck employs a restrained palette and strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figure, a hallmark of chiaroscuro. The dark backdrop isolates the subject, while the modest details—a red tablecloth, a brown hat—add texture without distracting from the central portrait.

History & Provenance

Koninck, trained initially by his brother Jacob in Rotterdam and later influenced by his time in Rembrandt’s Amsterdam studio, produced this work during the Dutch Golden Age. The painting entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 17th‑century Dutch art.

Context

The portrait reflects the conventions of Dutch bourgeois portraiture, where clothing, pose, and subdued settings signaled the sitter’s social standing and personal virtues. Koninck’s background in landscape painting informs the careful handling of light, while his exposure to Rembrandt’s techniques is evident in the psychological depth of the figure.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Philips Koninck

Philips Koninck (5 November 1619 – 4 October 1688), also spelled Philip de Koninck, was a Dutch landscape painter and younger brother of Jacob Koninck.