Portret van Cornelis van Beveren - Jonas Suyderhoef

A detailed seventeenth-century Dutch engraving by Jonas Suyderhoef, depicting the statesman Cornelis van Beveren within a formal oval frame.

This engraving by Jonas Suyderhoef depicts Cornelis van Beveren, a figure of authority during the Dutch Golden Age. Suyderhoef, a master of the burin, was known for his ability to translate the tonal qualities of oil paintings into the precise, linear language of printmaking. The portrait is contained within an oval frame, a common convention for seventeenth-century Dutch portraiture, which focuses the viewer's attention on the sitter's features and expression.

Van Beveren is shown in a three-quarter view, wearing a dark doublet with decorative embroidery and a plain white collar. The artist employs varied hatching and cross-hatching techniques to render the texture of the fabric and the subtle modelling of the face. The lighting is directed to illuminate the sitter's features, while the background remains dark, creating a sense of depth and focus. The surrounding oval frame includes an inscription detailing the sitter's titles and status, while the lower section of the print features a cartouche with a Dutch verse praising his contributions to the state and his role in maintaining peace.

Suyderhoef's technical precision is evident in the fine lines used to define the hair and the intricate patterns on the clothing. The work reflects the period's interest in documenting the appearance and status of civic leaders. As a printmaker, Suyderhoef often collaborated with painters, and this work demonstrates his skill in capturing the character of the subject through careful observation. The composition is balanced and formal, typical of the period's approach to commemorative portraiture. This print serves as a record of the visual culture of the Netherlands in the mid-seventeenth century, capturing both the individual likeness and the broader social expectations of the time.