Bartholomeus van der Helst, after. Hendrik Pothoven, after. Portrait of Cornelis Jan Witsen. Engraving by Jacob Houbraken. 1779 - 1780.

Artist: Bartholomeus van der Helst (Dutch, 1613-1670), a portrait painter in Amsterdam. One of the leading portraitists from the 1640s.Intermediary draughtsman: Hendrik Pothoven (Dutch, 1725-1795), painter and draughtsman, working in Amsterdam.Engraver: Jacob Houbraken (Dutch, 1698-1780). Engraver, a specialist in portraits. Also, dealer and collector of Rembrandt's etchings.Title: Cornelis Jan Witsen (1605 - 1669) was a counselor and mayor of Amsterdam. The Witsen family was involved in the grain trade with Russia. Witsen was a great patron of painting and supported the painter Rembrandt through his 1653 financial problems by providing him with a loan to buy a house. Five years later, Witsen caused Rembrandt's bankruptcy by claiming back these 4.180 guilders.[1]Signed, Titled, and Dated: Mr. Cornelis van Witsen, burgemeester en Raad der Stad Amsterdam. 1653. H. Pothoven del, na 't Origineele Schildery, waar in dezelve voorkomt als Kapityn der Burgery, berustende op de Krygsraad-kamer