Gerrit Sichterman (1688-1730). Generaal kwartiermeester der cavalerie, kolonel van het regiment infanterie Oranje-Groningen, commandant van Grave

About this artwork

…; from the Old Masters Galleries, London, £200, to the museum, 1958

Art Historical Context

This striking portrait drawing by Cornelis Troost (1696–1750), dated around 1725, capturesit Sichterman, a prominent Dutch military officer (8–1730). Titled with his impressive array of titles—Generaal kwartiermeester der cavalerie (General Quartermaster of the Cavalry kolonel van het regiment infanterieanje-Groningen (Colonel of the Orange-Groningen Infantry Regiment and commandant van Grave ( of Grave)—it commemorates a man central to the Dutch Republic's defenses during a time of lingering European tensions. Troost, a leading Amsterdam artist and actor known for his Rococo-influenced pastels and drawings, excelled in lively, characterful portraits that bridged the Dutch Golden Age and emerging Enlightenment tastes. Executed on paper (39.5 × 31 cm), this intimate work highlights his mastery of soft, blended media, likely pastel or chalk, which allowed for nuanced flesh tones and expressive details on a modest scale. Such portraits were prized commissions for the elite, blending formality with subtle personality. Acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 1958 from London's Old Masters Galleries for £200, it reflects the enduring value of 18th-century Dutch portraiture. Visitors will appreciate how it evokes the era's military pride and artistic finesse, a window into the lives of the Republic's guardians.

About the Artist

Cornelis Troost · 1696–1750

Comment on works: Portraits; Genre