Portrait of a Dutch Gentleman
Attributed to Mattheus Verheyden (1700–1776)
Oil on canvas | Signed | Circa 1730
Presented in an antique gilt wood frame, 28” x 32”
This distinguished 18th-century portrait is attributed to the Dutch master Mattheus Verheyden, a prominent portraitist of the Northern Netherlands whose refined hand captured the elite of the Dutch Republic during the Age of Enlightenment. Signed at lower right, the sitter—likely a gentleman of cultural standing—is portrayed with poise and introspection, his curled periwig and ochre robe emblematic of intellect and refinement.
Rendered in rich tonal layers with sensitive attention to the sitter’s expression and drapery, the composition includes a harp subtly placed in the background—an unusual and likely symbolic inclusion, suggesting the subject’s connection to the arts or musical patronage. The canvas shows expected age craquelure and has undergone light, professional inpainting to stabilize minor wear, all consistent with its 18th-century origin. The original carved giltwood frame, with its ornate scrollwork, enhances the noble character of the piece.
About the Artist:
Mattheus Verheyden (1700–1776) was a sought-after Dutch portrait painter celebrated for his elegant and psychologically sensitive depictions of aristocrats, clergy, and intellectuals. The son of court painter Franck Pietersz Verheyden, Mattheus was immersed in the arts from an early age. After losing both parents in childhood, he was raised by guardians who recognized his exceptional gift and supported his formal artistic education.
Verheyden began painting professionally in his teens and quickly earned commissions from elite patrons in The Hague and Breda. His portraiture style combines Dutch realism with refined Baroque sensibilities, marked by restrained palettes, expressive faces, and symbolic props that convey the sitter’s status, intellect, or virtue—often including books, architectural columns, or musical instruments.
His work provides a rare and refined glimpse into Enlightenment-era Dutch society. Today, his paintings are held in Dutch museum collections and private holdings across Europe. Verheyden’s portraits have appeared in major auctions, including Sotheby’s and Van Ham Kunstauktionen.
Portrait of a Dutch Gentleman
Attributed to Mattheus Verheyden (1700–1776)
Oil on canvas | Signed | Circa 1730
Presented in an antique gilt wood frame, 28” x 32”
This distinguished 18th-century portrait is attributed to the Dutch master Mattheus Verheyden, a prominent portraitist of the Northern Netherlands whose refined hand captured the elite of the Dutch Republic during the Age of Enlightenment. Signed at lower right, the sitter—likely a gentleman of cultural standing—is portrayed with poise and introspection, his curled periwig and ochre robe emblematic of intellect and refinement.
Rendered in rich tonal layers with sensitive attention to the sitter’s expression and drapery, the composition includes a harp subtly placed in the background—an unusual and likely symbolic inclusion, suggesting the subject’s connection to the arts or musical patronage. The canvas shows expected age craquelure and has undergone light, professional inpainting to stabilize minor wear, all consistent with its 18th-century origin. The original carved giltwood frame, with its ornate scrollwork, enhances the noble character of the piece.
About the Artist:
Mattheus Verheyden (1700–1776) was a sought-after Dutch portrait painter celebrated for his elegant and psychologically sensitive depictions of aristocrats, clergy, and intellectuals. The son of court painter Franck Pietersz Verheyden, Mattheus was immersed in the arts from an early age. After losing both parents in childhood, he was raised by guardians who recognized his exceptional gift and supported his formal artistic education.
Verheyden began painting professionally in his teens and quickly earned commissions from elite patrons in The Hague and Breda. His portraiture style combines Dutch realism with refined Baroque sensibilities, marked by restrained palettes, expressive faces, and symbolic props that convey the sitter’s status, intellect, or virtue—often including books, architectural columns, or musical instruments.
His work provides a rare and refined glimpse into Enlightenment-era Dutch society. Today, his paintings are held in Dutch museum collections and private holdings across Europe. Verheyden’s portraits have appeared in major auctions, including Sotheby’s and Van Ham Kunstauktionen.