Portret van de schrijver Hubertus Kornelisz. Poot 1669 - 1733

Thomas van der Wilt rendered this small portrait of Hubertus Kornelisz. Poot, likely in the early 18th century, with oil on a copper plate. Notice how the subdued palette and oval frame lend a sense of classical formality to the image. Poot is centrally placed, holding a scroll, his gaze softly directed to the side. There is an almost graphic quality to the arrangement. The oval frame is further accentuated by the inscription in the lower left, which creates a dialogue between the figure and the surrounding space. Van der Wilt uses a limited tonal range to achieve subtle gradations, which gives volume to Poot’s face and drapery. This restrained application of paint adds a layer of intellectual rigor, characteristic of the period. The portrait exists not merely as a likeness but as a study in form and the relationship between figure and frame, revealing a self-awareness about the artifice of representation.