Portrait of Cornelis van Couwenhove, Director of the Rotterdam Chamber of the Dutch East India Company, elected 1667

Pieter van der Werff employed chiaroscuro, a technique emphasizing strong contrasts between light and dark, to create depth and highlight the subject's facial features. The rococo style is evident in the portrait's overall elegance and the ornate gold frame with black oval motifs.

Painted in 1708 by Pieter van der Werff, who often collaborated with his brother Adriaen, the portrait is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Notably, the subject's tenure as Director began in 1667, more than 40 years before the portrait was created.

The portrait reflects the wealth and influence of the Dutch East India Company during the Dutch Golden Age. The choice of Pieter van der Werff, though not as renowned as his brother, suggests a deliberate selection for capturing the subject's official persona.

While specific lasting impacts of this portrait on art history are not prominently documented, it remains a valuable example of late Dutch Golden Age portraiture and the enduring legacy of the Dutch East India Company's elite.