Portret van Jurriaen Cootwijck

About this artwork

Purchased with the support of the F.G. Waller-Fonds

Art Historical Context

**Portret van Jurriaen Cootck** (1770) by Anthonyriessen captures the likeness of its sitter in a intimate, small-scale portrait on paper, measuring just 200 mm high by 157 mm wide. Created during the late Dutch Enlightenment, when portraiture often celebrated merchants, scholars, and civic leaders, this work reflects the era's emphasis on personal identity and status. Andriessen, a prolific Amsterdam-based artist known for his detailed drawings and paintings, likely rendered this as a preparatory study or standalone piece, showcasing his skill in rendering human features with precision. The use of paper as a medium highlights 18th-century drafting techniques, where artists employed graphite, chalk, or ink washes for quick yet expressive portraits. This modest size suggests it may have been a private commission or keepsake, common among Dutch burghers. Its survival and acquisition, supported by the F.G. Waller-Fonds—a fund dedicated to preserving Dutch heritage—underscore its cultural value, ensuring this glimpse into 18th-century life endures for modern viewers. Step into the world of Andriessen's keen observation, where every line tells a story of individuality amid Holland's refined society.

About the Artist

Anthony Andriessen · 1747–1813

Anthony became a successful painter, specializing in painted wallpapers, often with landscape subjects, which he made with his brother Juriaannat their factory in Amsterdam. He became a practicing member of the Amsterdam Tekenacademie in 1767, where he was awarded three prizes. He is known mainly for his drawings and watercolors, particularly landscapes, but he also made a few portraits. Anthony a...