Get a reproduction of Portrait of Dirck Hendrick Meulenaer (1620-in or after 1649 ?), Paulus Hennekyn, c. 1645

Since its first mention in the literature in 1880 the signature on this portrait of a man standing at half length was read as ‘Jan v. Hemert’, a totally fictitious artist, until conservator Michel van de Laar deciphered it as ‘Paulus Hennekyn’ in 2010. The date is hard to read, and the third numeral is now completely illegible, but as the sitter’s costume is in the fashion of the mid-1640s the painting was most probably executed by 1645.6 The identification of the sitter as Dirck Hendrick Meulenaer was probably derived from the inscription on the back of the canvas. The painting presumably acquired its present lining, which looks modern, after its arrival in the museum in 1880, and it stands to reason that the text on the reverse was then copied from the original support, which seems to be confirmed by the – slightly different – transcription in the 1880 collection catalogue.7 The figure’s identity could certainly be correct, since the Van de Poll Bequest, of which the picture was part, contained more likenesses of members of the Meulenaer family.8 It is no longer possible to reconstruct the route by which the portraits passed by descent to Van de Poll. Dirck Hendrick Meulenaer was baptized in the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam on 11 June 1620.9 The related certificate lists Hendrick Dircksz Meulenaer and Annetje Harmensdr as his parents, which is in full compliance with the inscription on the reverse and the mention in the 1880 collection catalogue. The couple became betrothed on 9 November 1601 in Amsterdam, where Hendrick worked as a shoemaker.10 He was buried in the Oude Kerk on 18 September 1638, and Annetje followed on 4 October 1645. Roelof Meulenaer, whose portrait by Ferdinand Bol is also in the Rijksmuseum,11 was an elder brother of the here depicted Dirck. The biographical information about the latter is sparse. He is probably the Dirck Meulenaer who is documented as a junior merchant in Nagasaki from November 1646 to November 1649.12 If so, this painting was made just before he left for Asia, and the journey could have been the reason for commissioning it. Meulenaer may have died in Japan at an early age, for there are no later references to him in either the Dutch East India Company (VOC) archives or those in Amsterdam. Meulenaer is snappily dressed with a hatband of gold thread over a black silk ribbon. He is wearing a black doublet, trimmed with bobbin lace from Genoa,13 of which a slit in the sleeve reveals its green silk lining and his shirt of spotless white linen. He has slung his cloak around his body. The hand gesture could indicate that he is speaking.14 A slightly earlier example is found in Thomas de Keyser’s 1632 Portrait of a Man,15 and Hennekyn could also have borrowed it from likenesses by Bartholomeus van der Helst, with whom he is known to have been in touch.16 The lively composition, with the body slightly off balance, was quite new at the time and remained an exception in Hennekyn’s oeuvre. He and his clients preferred a restrained style, with a faithful resemblance being the prime requirement, together with care being lavished on a convincing rendering of the textures of the clothing. This portrait is a good illustration of that. Eddy Schavemaker, Jonathan Bikker, 2022 See Key to abbreviations, Rijksmuseum painting catalogues and Acknowledgements

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Artist Biography

a dutch master of portrait painting

paulus hennekyn, a prominent figure in the dutch art scene, left an indelible mark on the world of portrait painting. born in amsterdam in 1614 and passing away in the same city on april 16, 1672, hennekyn's life was a testament to his passion for capturing the essence of his subjects.

notable works and artistic influences

one of paulus hennekyn's most notable works is the portrait of dirck hendrick meulenaer, dated 1645, which showcases his mastery of capturing the subtleties of human expression. this piece, much like his other portraits, reflects the influence of his contemporaries, such as bartholomeus van der helst, while also displaying a unique flair that sets him apart.

artistic contributions and legacy

contribution to dutch golden age painting: hennekyn's work is a significant part of the dutch golden age, a period renowned for its artistic and cultural flourishing. -

influence on subsequent artists: his portraits, characterized by their depth and nuance, have influenced generations of painters in the netherlands and beyond. -

preservation of historical figures: through his portraits, hennekyn has immortalized figures from the 17th century, offering a glimpse into the lives of amsterdam's elite during that era.

accessing hennekyn's art at ArtsDot.com

for an in-depth exploration of paulus hennekyn's works, including high-quality reproductions and detailed information on each piece, visit: - https://ArtsDot.com/@/paulus-hennekyn - explore the rijksmuseum's collection, which features several of hennekyn's notable works: rijksmuseum collection

further reading and resources

- for a comprehensive list of dutch painters, including paulus hennekyn, refer to the list of dutch painters on wikipedia. - delve into the world of art with ArtsDot's extensive collection: ArtsDot's artists collection

discover more about the dutch golden age and its notable artists.
explore the rijksmuseum's digital collection for an extensive array of dutch art.
visit ArtsDot.com for a vast selection of artworks, including those by paulus hennekyn, available as high-quality reproductions.

paulus hennekyn

1614 - 1672 , Netherlands

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Spanish Renaissance, Mannerism
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Expressionism
- Cubism
Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
- Titian
- Tintoretto
Date Of Birth: 1541-10-01
Date Of Death: 1614-04-07
Full Name: Domenikos Theotokopoulos
Nationality: Greek, Spanish
Notable Artworks:
- Disrobing of Christ
- Assumption of Virgin
- Burial Count Orgaz
- View of Toledo
- Opening Fifth Seal
Place Of Birth: Candia (Iráklion), Crete

Paulus Hennekyn: The Full Collection

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Portrait of Dirck Hendrick Meulenaer (1620-in or after 1649 ?), Paulus Hennekyn, c. 1645

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Artist Biography

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W692G $12

W849H $8

W940BG $15

W953PJ $8

H24-GOLD $30

H24-SILVER $30

H36-GOLD $45

H36-SILVER $45

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