Portrait Medallion of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (1547-1619) c. 1735 - 1750

This ivory relief, "Portrait Medallion of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt," is a fine example of the art of portraiture during the 18th century. It is a finely detailed piece of art made by an unknown artist sometime between 1735 and 1750. Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was a prominent Dutch statesman and advocate for the Dutch Republic, and his likeness is captured in this small but impressive work. The relief is part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam. The detail of the carving, especially the ruff and beard, is remarkable, considering the small size.