Who painted Portrait of a boy with a kolf club?

Portrait of a boy with a kolf club was painted by Wybrand de Geest in 1631.

Where can I see Portrait of a boy with a kolf club?

Portrait of a boy with a kolf club is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of a boy with a kolf club?

Portrait of a boy with a kolf club is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a boy with a kolf club?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a boy with a kolf club are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a boy with a kolf club

Wybrand de Geest , 1631

Portrait of a boy with a kolf club is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Wybrand de Geest. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Wybrand de Geest’s 1631 oil painting portrays a young boy holding a kolf club and a ball. The figure stands on a checkered floor, set against a dark backdrop, and is dressed in a vivid yellow‑black patterned costume with a white ruffled collar and a wide belt. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures a child engaged in the Dutch pastime of kolf, a precursor to modern golf. By presenting the boy with both club and ball, the artist emphasizes the leisure activity’s social relevance in the early‑17th‑century Netherlands, while the youthful subject reflects the era’s interest in individual character and domestic pursuits.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, de Geest employs a restrained palette for the background, allowing the bright zig‑zag pattern of the boy’s garments to dominate the visual field. The rendering of the fabric’s texture and the metallic sheen of the club’s curved tip demonstrate a careful handling of light, characteristic of Dutch portraiture of the period.

History & Provenance

Created in 1631, the painting has remained in Dutch collections and is now displayed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Its provenance traces a continuous ownership within the Netherlands, reflecting the work’s enduring relevance to Dutch cultural heritage and its role in representing early modern sport.