'Portret van Willem', vermoedelijk Willem Matthijs Maris Jbzn, zoon van Jacob Maris c. 1876

Jacob Maris likely painted this small oil on panel portrait of his son Willem in the Netherlands sometime in the late 19th century. The loose brushwork and muted tones are characteristic of the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists influenced by the French Barbizon school who sought to capture the atmosphere of the Dutch landscape and everyday life. Maris was a leading figure in this movement, and this portrait reflects their interest in naturalism and their rejection of academic conventions. The boy's direct gaze and slightly formal attire suggest the social aspirations of the Dutch middle class at the time. The Rijksmuseum, as an institution, plays a role in preserving and presenting such images, shaping our understanding of Dutch cultural history. By studying the Maris family through archival sources and exhibition histories, we can gain insight into the complex interplay between artistic production, family dynamics, and the broader social and cultural context of the time.