Rijksmuseum's 'High Society' Explores Full-Length Portraits Across Four Centuries

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam presents 'High Society,' the first exhibition dedicated to the full-length, life-size portrait, a format once reserved for royalty and nobility that later became the preferred choice of high society. Spanning four centuries, the show features 39 full-length portraits, 36 of which are loans from museums and private collections across 11 countries. The exhibition opens with early examples by Lucas Cranach the Elder from 1514 and concludes with early 20th-century works. Rembrandt's wedding portraits of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, jointly acquired by the Rijksmuseum and the Louvre in 2016, are a highlight. The show examines how the genre reflected societal changes, from the exclusive domain of monarchy to the inclusion of wealthy bourgeoisie, as seen in the entrepreneurial spirit of 17th-century Dutch citizens. Portraits served to display status, wealth, and fashion, influencing style until the advent of photography and beyond. Notable works include Giovanni Boldini's portrait of Marchesa Luisa Casati, which was displayed at Jacques Doucet's fashion house in 1909 and inspired designers like John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Karl Lagerfeld. The exhibition also looks ahead to the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt's death in 2019, with plans for an unprecedented display of his paintings, etchings, and drawings. 'High Society' runs from March 8 to June 3, 2018.