Thomas Hees and his Servant Thomas and Nephews Jan and Andries Hees 1687
michielvanmusscher
rijksmuseum
painting, oil-paint
portrait
baroque
dutch-golden-age
painting
oil-paint
historical fashion
group-portraits
history-painting
Michiel van Musscher's 1687 oil painting, "Thomas Hees and his Servant Thomas and Nephews Jan and Andries Hees," depicts the Dutch merchant Thomas Hees seated in his home, surrounded by family and servants. The composition, a common theme in Dutch Golden Age art, showcases the prosperity of the merchant class through detailed depictions of luxurious fabrics, furniture, and weaponry. This work, now in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the lifestyle and status of a wealthy Dutch merchant family in the 17th century.
Comments
Thomas Hees served as a diplomat in Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, negotiating the ransoming of Dutch galley slaves and combatting the privateering of Dutch ships, among other missions. The name and age of his African servant is indicated on the back of the canvas: ‘Thomas the Negro, 17 years old.
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