maandag 11 november 2013

Poor rich boy

I saw something new in Amsterdam, a sign with the name of the street with a painting next to it. The street is named "First Van der Helststreet"  after a famous dutch portrait painter,  Bartholomeus van der Helst (1613-1670) who was a contemporary of Rembrandt and became the most popular painter of portraits in the city of Amsterdam. His most famous portrait is this half length portrayal of Gerard Andriesz Bicker, the son of Andries Bicker, the mayor of Amsterdam whom he also painted in 1642. This portrait is often used to depict obesity as a symbol of wealth of the Amsterdam merchants of the Dutch Golden Age. It was probably painted in 1637 and at that time Gerard must have been 17 years old and held the titles Lord of Engelenburg and High Bailiff of Muiden. 
And now so many centuries later on everybody in the street can look at that "Dicken Bear"as he was called in a mocking pamphlet in 1650 when he fled in a boat for the troops of William II.
Don't know you can call this a mural, but it is on a wall and a painting so I link it anyway here.

11 opmerkingen:

  1. It certainly satisfies my definition of "mural," although his corpulence is not too appealing in this day and age.

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  2. He was well over weight, how long did he live I wonder

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  3. Well! Now that's enough to stop you reaching for that last biscuit in the packet hey Marianne :)

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  4. Interesting piece of history. I've not heard of that painter before. A boy (girl too) like that is all too common these days here in the States. Sad.

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  5. Dearest Marianne,
    What an interesting story and it does teach us even nowadays some morals. Obesity is becoming a growing problem and not so much of wealth but of immobility and choosing the wrong diet.
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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  6. It's a very sad story behind this guy. the painting emphasizes the conditions of privilege.

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  7. I like it! Unfortunately he would not be out of place in many places these days.

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  8. interesting. i like that they put a work from the painter next to "his" street. the boy looks like a fat american kid... :D

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  9. wat een mooie ontdekking, lijkt me de moeite waard!

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  10. I wonder if you'll find other illustrations of street names as you ramble Amsterdam. It's a nice way to help people "connect the dots". As for the portrait, I just feel sorry for this boy. Any idea what happened to him later in life? Thanks for contributing to this week's Monday Mural.

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