Portrait Of Henrica Van Eck Dated 1686; Signed Gerrit Alberts (1663-1757)

Henrica van Eck (1670-1756) has been depicted three-quarter length and standing beside a fountain with a lake in the distance. Her expensive silk dress is indicative of her wealth and she is enveloped in a flowing wrap that is held in a place by a large jeweled brooch clasp. The ensemble includes lace on her cuffs and across her neckline that has been painstakingly detailed and is utterly beautiful. Henrica was born in Zaltbommel and died in Arnhem on 14th September 1756. The modelling and handling of the arms and hands is exemplary and the treatment of the drapery and the artist’s mastery of colour explains his appeal to individuals who sought to increase their ‘brand’ through images. This large portrait has been signed GA F (Gerrit Alberts Fecit or “painted”) bottom left and was painted in 1686, along with a pendant portrait of her husband, Matthew Lambertus van Eck (1664-1708), to commemorate their marriage. Matthew’s portrait depicts him dressed in a red robe with lace cuffs and lace cravat, standing beside a large classical urn in an outdoor setting. His long wavy hair falls on his shoulders and his left arm is tucked into his robe. Gerrit Alberts (1663-1757) was a prolific portrait painter in his native Nimeguen, which is a municipality and a city in the Dutch province of Gelderland. His style was similar to Godfrey Kneller and was notable for its good drawing and that Dutch attention to detail. Provenance: Collection of F.W.L. de Beaufort Literature: Dutch Art History Yearbook 1970, p. 86 no. 8 and Fig. 2. Measurements: Height 142cm, Width 116cm framed (Height 56”, Width 45.5” framed)