Artist: Bartholomeus van der Helst (Dutch, 1613-1670), a portrait painter in Amsterdam. One of the leading portraitists from the 1640s.
Intermediary draughtsman: Hendrik Pothoven (Dutch, 1725-1795), painter and draughtsman, working in Amsterdam.
Engraver: Jacob Houbraken (Dutch, 1698-1780). Engraver, a specialist in portraits. Also, dealer and collector of Rembrandt's etchings.
Title: Cornelis Jan Witsen (1605 - 1669) was a counselor and mayor of Amsterdam. The Witsen family was involved in the grain trade with Russia. Witsen was a great patron of painting and supported the painter Rembrandt through his 1653 financial problems by providing him with a loan to buy a house. Five years later, Witsen caused Rembrandt's bankruptcy by claiming back these 4.180 guilders.[1]
Signed, Titled, and Dated: Mr. Cornelis van Witsen, burgemeester en Raad der Stad Amsterdam. 1653. H. Pothoven del, na 't Origineele Schildery, waar in dezelve voorkomt als Kapityn der Burgery, berustende op de Krygsraad-kamer van 't Stadhuis te Amsterdam. J.Houbraken. Sculpsit, oud 81 jaar. [1779].
Dimensions: Image 6 1/2" X 4 1/8". Sheet 9 1/2" x 6". Mat 20" x 13'.
Publisher: Isaak Tirion (Dutch, 1705-1765), publisher of books, maps, and prints; active in Amsterdam from 1725 onwards.
Edition: n/a.
Date: 1779 - 1780.
Materials and Techniques: engraving on laid paper.
Watermark: no.
Mat and Frame: Matted. Hinged along the upper corners of the sheet. The mat bears the label of the Lakeside Studio, Lakeside, Michigan (before 1987).
Provenance: Lakeside Studio, Lakeside, Michigan (before 1987).
- The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Condition: Wears to margins and to the mat. The signs of aging are appropriate for the time. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Catalog Raisonne: Ver Huell, p. 88. No. 476.
Part of: Wagenaar, Jan. Amsterdam in zyne opkomst, aanwas, geschiedenissen, (...). Amsterdam: Isaak Tirion, 1765, vol. 7.
Museums and Libraries: The Rijksmuseum RP-P-1894-A-18564. The British Museum 1854,0614.100 (proof before letters).
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: Dutch School XVII C. Dutch School XVIII C.
Note: This entry incorporates text from Wikipedia and the catalog entry of the same item from The Rijksmuseum and The British Museum collections.