Artwork
Portrait of Paulus Joseph Gabriël
Portrait of Paulus Joseph Gabriël is an oil painting by Woutherus Mol. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Woutherus Mol’s 1818 oil portrait depicts Paulus Joseph Gabriël, a Dutch gentleman, rendered in a restrained yet detailed manner. The canvas, now part of the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, exemplifies early‑nineteenth‑century portraiture, focusing on the sitter’s attire and demeanor rather than elaborate background scenery.
Subject & Meaning
Gabriël is presented in a dark coat over a light waistcoat, his hand placed gently on his chest, suggesting a pose of modest confidence. The white cravat and curly dark hair convey the fashions of his era, while the partial glimpse of another figure behind him hints at a social context that remains ambiguous.
Technique & Style
Mol employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing light to illuminate Gabriël’s face and garments against a muted backdrop. This contrast of illumination and shadow creates a three‑dimensional presence, emphasizing texture in the fabric and the sitter’s expression without resorting to overt dramatization.
History & Provenance
Executed in 1818, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum collection, where it remains accessible to the public. Its attribution to Mol aligns with his known oeuvre of interior scenes and genre works, confirming the painting’s place within his broader artistic production.
Artist & collection
Artist
Woutherus Mol (21 March 1785 – 30 August 1857) was a painter and draftsman from the Netherlands. He is known for interiors and genre scenes.
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