Artwork

Portrait of Jan Lepeltak, Timber Merchant in Amsterdam, Regent of the Aalmoezeniersweeshuis Orphanage

Portrait of Jan Lepeltak, Timber Merchant in Amsterdam, Regent of the Aalmoezeniersweeshuis Orphanage is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Cornelis Troost. It dates from 1728 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Troost’s 1728 oil portrait depicts Jan Lepeltak, a prominent timber merchant and regent of the Aalmoezeniersweeshuis orphanage in Amsterdam. Executed during the late Rococo period, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and presents Lepeltak in formal attire against a subdued interior setting.

Subject & Meaning

Lepeltak is shown in a dignified pose, his white wig and gray coat signifying his social rank and professional success. As a regent of an orphanage, his representation underscores the civic responsibility and charitable roles assumed by affluent merchants in early‑18th‑century Dutch society.

Technique & Style

Troost employs a loose brushwork that leaves the texture of the wig and fabric visible, contrasting with the smoother rendering of the face. The composition relies on subtle chiaroscuro, using light to model Lepeltak’s features while the dark background recedes, creating a restrained yet elegant visual effect characteristic of Rococo portraiture.

History & Provenance

The painting was completed in 1728 and has remained in Dutch collections, eventually entering the Rijksmuseum. Its provenance reflects the typical path of civic portraits, which were commissioned by wealthy individuals and later acquired by public institutions for their historical value.

Context

During the early 1700s, Amsterdam’s mercantile elite frequently commissioned portraits to affirm their status and philanthropic involvement. Troost, known for his theatrical sensibility, applied a modestly decorative approach that aligns with the Rococo’s emphasis on grace and refined detail, situating Lepeltak within the broader visual culture of the period.