Artwork

Portrait of Mattheus van den Broucke (1620-1685). Councillor of the Indies

Portrait of Mattheus van den Broucke (1620-1685). Councillor of the Indies is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Samuel van Hoogstraten. It dates from 1674 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Samuel van Hoogstraten’s 1674 portrait presents Mattheus van den Broucke, a senior official of the Dutch East India Company, in a formal pose before a balcony that opens onto a seascape. The sitter is dressed in a black doublet trimmed with gold, a white ruffled collar, and a gold pendant bearing a ship, while holding a cane that underscores his status.

Subject & Meaning

The painting emphasizes van den Broucke’s authority and maritime connections through his attire and the nautical background. The ship motif on his pendant alludes to his role in overseas trade governance, while the calm sea beyond the balcony suggests the expansive reach of Dutch commerce during the Golden Age.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work reflects van Hoogstraten’s precise handling of light and texture, characteristic of Dutch Golden Age portraiture. The contrast between the dark, richly embroidered clothing and the luminous sea backdrop demonstrates his skill in rendering materiality and atmospheric depth.

History & Provenance

Created in 1674, the portrait remained in private collections before entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Dutch Golden Age assemblage. The painting’s provenance traces a clear line from its original commission to its present public ownership.

Context

Van Hoogstraten, a Dordrecht‑born painter, poet, and art theorist, was active during the latter half of the 17th century, a period when portraiture served both personal commemoration and corporate propaganda for the VOC. This work exemplifies the intersection of individual status and the broader economic ambitions of the Dutch Republic.

Artist & collection

Artist

Samuel van Hoogstraten

Samuel Dirksz van Hoogstraten (2 August 1627 in Dordrecht – 19 October 1678 in Dordrecht) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, who was also a poet and author on art theory.