Portrait of Prof. Mr. J.A. Veraart - Anton Abraham van Anrooy

A formal portrait of Professor J.A. Veraart by Dutch artist Anton Abraham van Anrooy, painted in 1942 during the subject's time in London.

This portrait depicts Professor Mr. J.A. Veraart, a figure associated with the Dutch government-in-exile during the Second World War. Anton Abraham van Anrooy, a Dutch artist who spent much of his career in the United Kingdom, captures the subject in a formal, seated pose. The sitter wears traditional Javanese attire, including a batik sarong and a headcloth, which reflects his connection to the Dutch East Indies. His posture is upright and composed, with hands resting gently in his lap.

The composition is structured around a central axis, placing the subject within a room that suggests a formal interior. The background features a muted green wall with panelling, a floor with a geometric black and white tile pattern, and a floor lamp to the left. To the right, a small cabinet holds decorative objects, adding to the domestic yet formal atmosphere of the setting. The lighting is soft, focusing attention on the face and the textures of the clothing.

Van Anrooy employs a restrained colour palette, relying on earth tones, deep greens, and the subtle patterns of the batik fabric. The brushwork is controlled, prioritising clarity of form and the accurate representation of the subject's features and attire. This work was produced as part of a series of studies intended for a larger, unfinished painting concerning the Dutch legal presence in London during the war years. It provides a specific historical record of an individual operating within the complex political environment of the 1940s. The painting remains a document of both personal identity and the broader historical circumstances of the Dutch diaspora in London during the conflict.