Who painted Untitled?

Untitled was painted by Pieter Pietersz the Elder in 1588.

Where can I see Untitled?

Untitled is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Untitled?

Untitled is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Untitled?

Museum-quality prints of Untitled are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Untitled

Pieter Pietersz the Elder , 1588

Untitled is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Pieter Pietersz the Elder. It dates from 1588 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is a portrait painted in 1588, depicting a man in a black coat with a white ruff, set against a dark backdrop.

About this work

The artist’s name is lost, but the sitter’s name, Mattheus Augustijnsz Steijn, is written on the back.

You see a man in a black coat and white ruff collar, standing against a dark background. His face is serious, eyes looking straight ahead.

This painting is in its original frame—black with gold trim—which is rare. Most frames from this time were replaced later. The artist’s name is lost, but the sitter’s name, Mattheus Augustijnsz Steijn, is written on the back. That tiny detail makes it feel personal, like a family photo from 1588.

To see more portraits like this, visit the Rijksmuseum.

Overview

The work is a portrait painted in 1588, depicting a man in a black coat with a white ruff, set against a dark backdrop. The sitter gazes directly forward with a solemn expression. The image remains in its original oak frame, which is finished in black and gold, a rarity for works of this period.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is identified as Mattheus Augustijnsz Steijn, a name inscribed on the reverse of the panel. His attire and posture suggest a status of some standing in late‑sixteenth‑century Dutch society, while the direct gaze conveys a sense of personal dignity and self‑presentation.

Technique & Style

Executed on a wooden panel, the portrait employs a restrained palette of dark tones, highlighted by the crisp white of the ruff. The brushwork is precise, rendering facial features with careful modeling, while the background remains largely unadorned, focusing attention on the sitter.

History & Provenance

Although the artist’s identity has not survived, the painting entered the public collection through a donation by M.C. van Houten in 1933. The original frame, still attached, is notable because many contemporary portraits were later reframed, making this piece an uncommon example of its original presentation.

Context

Created during the Dutch Golden Age’s early phase, the portrait reflects the period’s emerging emphasis on individual likeness and personal legacy. Such works often served both as records of family lineage and as visual affirmations of social rank within the mercantile class.