Cornelis Vos, Burgomaster of Deventer (Alternative Title: Portrait of Cornelis Vos)

Gerard Ter Borch the younger 1617 - 1681

Summary

Cornelis Vos was Burgomaster, or mayor, of Deventer. This small, intimate portrait is painted on copper, a support known for its smooth, non-absorbent surface. Here it helps to accentuate the detailed recording of Vos's round features and ruddy complexion, giving him a strong physical presence. The artist trained first with his father, then went to Amsterdam in 1632. The following year he is recorded in Haarlem, where in 1634 he began an apprenticeship with Pieter Molijn (1595-1661). He joined the Haarlem Guild of Saint Luke in 1635. Ter Borch travelled widely, to England, Italy and Spain, eventually settling back in Holland in 1654. He spent most of his career in Deventer, where he specialised in painting scenes of everyday life and, from the 1660s, in portraiture. His most distinguished pupil is Caspar Netscher, but Gabriel Metsu, Pieter de Hooch, Frans van Mieris the Elder, Eglon van der Neer and Johannes Vermeer were also greatly influenced by his genre painting.

Display Label

Cornelis Vos, Burgomaster of Deventer about 1667 Gerard ter Borch 1617-81 Oil on copper Cornelis Vos was Burgomaster, or mayor, of Deventer. This small, intimate portrait is painted on copper, a support admired for its smooth, non-absorbent surface. Here it helps accentuate the detailed recording of Vos’ round features and ruddy complexion giving him a strong physical presence. Ter Borch painted this small likeness at the same time as a large group portrait of Deventer’s town council: sixteen men, including Cornelis Vos. Ter Borch spent the majority of his career in Deventer, and had a ready clientele for his portraits. Assheton Bennett bequest 1979.446