Zelfportret van Cornelis Troost

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Arnout Rentinck presents a self-portrait of the celebrated Dutch painter Cornelis Troost, whose expressive works captured the elegance and theatricality of 18th-century life in the Netherlands. Created as a print after Troost’s original painting, the work dates from the period 1722–1775, when reproductive engravings played a vital role in sharing artists’ images with a broader audience beyond those who could view the originals in person. Rentinck’s choice of the engraving medium allowed for precise linework and subtle tonal effects, translating the nuances of Troost’s features and expression into a format that could be widely collected and studied. At 237 by 175 millimeters, the print strikes an intimate scale suited to personal collections, while the presence of the Lugt 2228 collector’s mark hints at its journey through distinguished hands over the centuries. Such engravings helped preserve the legacy of prominent artists like Troost, ensuring their self-representations endured as both artistic statements and historical documents of their time.

About the Artist

Arnout Rentinck · 1712–1774

Comment on works: Portraits; History; Genre; Landscapes