Artwork
Portrait of Jeronimus Tonneman and his Son Jeronimus

Portrait of Jeronimus Tonneman and his Son Jeronimus is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Cornelis Troost. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Troost's 1736 oil painting, Portrait of Jeronimus Tonneman and his Son Jeronimus, is a domestic scene featuring two generations of the Tonneman family in a richly furnished interior.
Subject & Meaning
A statue of a woman in the background adds a layer of depth and potentially alludes to the family's cultural or artistic inclinations.
The painting captures a moment of quiet coexistence between Jeronimus Tonneman and his son, also named Jeronimus. The father, in a red coat, plays a flute, while the son, in a black coat, attends to papers at a table, suggesting contrasting pursuits within a harmonious familial setting. A statue of a woman in the background adds a layer of depth and potentially alludes to the family's cultural or artistic inclinations.
Technique & Style
Troost employs chiaroscuro, a technique emphasizing strong contrasts between light and dark, to create a profound sense of depth and volume within the painting. This stylistic choice draws the viewer's eye through the space, from the illuminated figures to the shadowed background, enhancing the overall sense of intimacy and dimensionality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1736, the portrait is now part of the collection at the National Gallery of Ireland, where it remains on display.
Context
Painted during the Dutch Golden Age's latter period, this work reflects the era's penchant for capturing everyday life and domestic interiors with precision and emotional depth. The inclusion of a statue and the father's musical engagement also touch on the cultural values of the time, emphasizing refinement and leisure activities among the bourgeoisie.
Legacy
While not widely recognized outside of specialized art historical circles, Portrait of Jeronimus Tonneman and his Son Jeronimus contributes to the broader understanding of 18th-century Dutch domestic portraiture and the evolution of chiaroscuro in Northern European art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Troost (8 October 1696 – 7 March 1750) was a Dutch actor and painter from Amsterdam.

















