Artwork
Portrait of the Engraver Jan Casper Philips
Portrait of the Engraver Jan Casper Philips is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Tibout Regters. It dates from 1747 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The oil painting titled Portrait of the Engraver Jan Casper Philips was executed by the Dutch artist Tibout Regters in 1747. It portrays the engraver Jan Caspar Philips seated at a worktable, surrounded by the tools of his trade. The work is part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Jan Caspar Philips, is shown in a green coat adorned with orange floral motifs, his powdered white wig framing a thoughtful expression. He holds a pen in one hand while gesturing with the other, suggesting an explanation of his artistic process. The composition captures a moment of quiet concentration within what appears to be his workshop.
Technique & Style
Regters employs a realistic approach, rendering the textures of fabric, paper, and metal with careful attention to light and shadow. The subdued illumination from a nearby window creates a modest chiaroscuro, emphasizing the figure and the scattered documents, while the detailed rendering of the drawing board and inkwell conveys the specificity of an engraver’s environment.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑18th century, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s studio, reflecting the common practice of commissioning portraits of craftsmen to document professional identity during the Dutch Enlightenment.
Context
The work belongs to a period when portraiture often served to record the status and expertise of artisans. Regters, known for his depictions of individuals in their professional settings, situates Philips among his tools, aligning the sitter’s personal identity with his vocational skill.
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