Artwork

Portrait of Daniel Serrurier, minister in Heemstede, Barnevelt, Leiden, Amsterdam

Portrait of Daniel Serrurier, minister in Heemstede, Barnevelt, Leiden, Amsterdam is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Pieter, Tanjé. It dates from 1759 and is held in the collection of the Leiden University Libraries. The image presents a portrait of Daniel Serrurier, a minister associated with Heemstede, Barnevelt, Leiden, and Amsterdam.

About this work

Overview

The image presents a portrait of Daniel Serrurier, a minister associated with Heemstede, Barnevelt, Leiden, and Amsterdam. He is depicted seated at a desk, surrounded by a book and scattered papers, his attire reflecting an earlier period of dress. Beneath the visual field a Dutch poem by Theodorus van Schelluyne is inscribed, linking text and image in a single composition.

Subject & Meaning

Daniel Serrurier is shown in a contemplative pose, suggesting scholarly or clerical duties. The presence of the book and documents emphasizes his role as a learned minister, while the accompanying poem offers a literary tribute, a practice that was uncommon in portraiture of the era, thereby enriching the work’s narrative dimension.

Technique & Style

The portrait employs chiaroscuro, a method of strong contrasts between light and dark that models the figure and creates a sense of depth. This shading technique, derived from earlier Dutch painting traditions, highlights the textures of the fabric and the surface of the desk, lending the scene a three‑dimensional quality.

History & Provenance

The image is not an original composition but a reproduction based on an earlier painting by J.M. Quinkhard. The later version retains the original’s composition while incorporating the Dutch verse, indicating a collaborative effort between visual and literary artists. Its provenance traces back to the minister’s connections across several Dutch towns.