Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family

Cornelis Troost (signed by artist), 1736

This portrait invites us to enter the room and enjoy art and music with this gentleman. Typical of the 18th century is the lack of distance between sitter and viewer: the likeness is not intimidating. We stand face to face with a cheerful young man, member of a wealthy Mennonite family from Amsterdam. The visit has caught him unawares: on his shoulder are traces of powder spilled while he powdered his wig.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-3948
  • Dimensionsheight 72 cm x width 57 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on panel

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Portrait of a Member of the Van der Mersch Family

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-3948

  • Description

    Portret van een kunst- en muziekliefhebber, vermoedelijk een van de drie broers van de doopsgezinde familie Van der Mersch uit Amsterdam. De man is ten voeten uit geportretteerd, zittend aan een tafel met een tekening in de hand. Op tafel ligt een kunstboek en een muziekboek met het familiewapen Van der Mersch, rechts tegen een stoel staat een cello geleund, links een globe.

  • Inscriptions / marks

    signature and date: ‘C. Troost. 1736.’


Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Cornelis Troost (signed by artist), Northern Netherlands

  • Dating

    1736

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on panel

  • Dimensions

    height 72 cm x width 57 cm


This work is about

  • Person

  • Subject


Acquisition and rights

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1958

  • Copyright

  • Provenance

    …; collection Mrs G.P. Hunt, Manor House, Almeley, Herefordshire;{Note RMA.}…; collection Mrs H.L. Talbot;{Note RMA.} her daughter, Diana L. Talbot, ca. 1935/40;{Note RMA; Niemeijer 1973, p. 180, no. 63S.} sale, The Earl of Ancaster et al. [section Diana L. Talbot], Londen (Sotheby's), 26 November 1958, no. 39, £ 2,050, to the dealer E.J. Speelman, London;{Copy RKD.} from whom, £ 2,500, to the museum, 1958

  • Remarks

    Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.


Documentation

  • 'Een beeld van de 18de eeuw : Het galante tijdperk', De Rijksmuseum Kunstkrant 20 (1995) nr. 3, p. 3-4.


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