Pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit

The pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit are a pair of full-length wedding portraits painted by the renowned Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn in 1634. These portraits are considered masterpieces of Dutch Golden Age painting and are celebrated for their exquisite detail, composition, and the insight they provide into the wealth and status of their subjects.

The Subjects
Maerten Soolmans:
Maerten Soolmans was born into a wealthy family of merchants in Amsterdam. His father, Jan Soolmans, was a successful sugar refiner and trader.
Maerten married Oopjen Coppit on June 9, 1633, and their marriage united two affluent families in Amsterdam.

Oopjen Coppit:
Oopjen Coppit came from an even wealthier background. Her father, Hendrick Coppit, was a prosperous grain trader and an influential member of Amsterdam society.
The portraits were commissioned to commemorate the couple’s marriage, highlighting their wealth and social status.

The Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn
Rembrandt’s Career:
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) was one of the most important and influential artists of the Dutch Golden Age. Known for his masterful use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), and his ability to capture human emotion, Rembrandt painted portraits, historical scenes, and landscapes.
By the time he painted the portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, Rembrandt was already a sought-after artist in Amsterdam.

The Portraits
Creation:
The portraits were painted in 1634, a year after Maarten and Oopjen’s marriage. They are among the few full-length portraits by Rembrandt, which was a format typically reserved for royalty and the very wealthy.
The portraits showcase Rembrandt’s exceptional skill in rendering textures, such as the fine lace, sumptuous fabrics, and intricate details of the couple’s attire.

Details and Composition:
Maerten Soolmans: Maerten is depicted standing confidently, dressed in black with a lace collar and cuffs, holding a glove in one hand. His attire and posture exude wealth and status.
Oopjen Coppit: Oopjen is portrayed in a similarly grand fashion, wearing a black silk gown adorned with lace and pearls. She holds a fan in one hand and her other hand rests on her waist.
Both portraits reflect the wealth and social standing of the couple, capturing their opulent lifestyle.

Provenance and Ownership
Early Ownership:
The portraits remained in the possession of the Soolmans-Coppit family for generations. They were later acquired by the French banker and art collector, Baron Gustave de Rothschild, in the 19th century.
The portraits were passed down through the Rothschild family, remaining largely out of public view for many years.

Recent Developments:
In 2015, the portraits were put up for sale by the Rothschild family. Recognizing their cultural significance, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Louvre in Paris formed a historic partnership to jointly acquire the portraits.
The purchase was finalized in 2016, with each museum paying half of the €160 million price tag, making the portraits among the most expensive works of art ever sold.

Exhibition and Cultural Significance
Display and Conservation:
The agreement between the Rijksmuseum and the Louvre stipulates that the portraits will be displayed together, alternating between the two museums. This ensures that both Dutch and French audiences can appreciate these masterpieces.
The portraits underwent careful conservation work to preserve their condition and enhance their display.

Cultural Impact:
The pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit are celebrated not only for their artistic excellence but also for their historical importance. They provide a window into the lives of the Dutch elite during the Golden Age.
Their acquisition by two of the world’s leading museums highlights the significance of international cooperation in preserving and showcasing cultural heritage.

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