Where can I see Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel?

Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel?

Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel?

Museum-quality prints of Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel

Willem Witsen , 1912

Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Willem Witsen. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Willem Witsen’s 1912 oil portrait, *Adèle van Meekren, de tweede echtgenote van Andries van Wezel*, depicts the wife of a prominent Amsterdam businessman. Executed in the early twentieth‑century Dutch Impressionist vein, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s holdings and exemplifies Witsen’s focus on quiet, intimate representation.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Adèle van Meekren, is presented in a dignified pose, her gaze directed forward with a composed expression. Her attire—a dark, richly coloured dress, a brown fur wrap, a simple pearl necklace and a gold brooch set with a green stone—signals her social standing while the restrained composition emphasizes personal presence over narrative.

Technique & Style

Witsen employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing the dark background to frame the illuminated face. Smooth, blended brushstrokes render skin tones and shadows seamlessly, reflecting the influence of James McNeill Whistler and the broader Impressionist interest in light, atmosphere and tonal harmony.

History & Provenance

Created in 1912, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing the Amsterdam Impressionist movement and the network of artists and patrons active in the city during that period.

Context

Witsen, known for both urban and rural scenes, often portrayed figures from Amsterdam’s artistic circles. This portrait aligns with his broader oeuvre, which balances quiet, observational scenes with the portrayal of notable individuals, situating the work within the cultural milieu of early twentieth‑century Amsterdam.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Willem Witsen

Willem Arnoldus Witsen (13 August 1860 – 13 April 1923, Amsterdam) was a Dutch painter and photographer associated with the Amsterdam Impressionism movement.