Jan Blanken Jansz., Superintendent of Waterworks, by Jean Augustin Daiwaille, 1820 - 1838
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Jan Blanken Jansz., Superintendent of Waterworks

Also titled Jan Blanken Jansz. (1755-1838), Inspecteur-generaal van Waterstaat

Jean Augustin Daiwaille (Cologne, voor–1850)

1820 - 1838

Medium
canvas, oil paint (paint)
Classification
painting
Dimensions
depth 13 cm
Museum
Rijksmuseum
Credit line
Gift of J.A. Matthes, Amsterdam
Rights
Public Domain Mark, as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Teens profiles and older: its subject is for older viewers (war, death, the Passion, drink or the like). How works are placed

View at the Rijksmuseum

About this work

Jan Blanken, by J.A. Daiwaille, c. 1825. Hydraulic engineer Jan Blanken (1755-1838) played a key roll in the development of the Dutch water authority after 1800. Despite the political turmoil of those years, this was a period in which major projects were initiated. Under a succession of Dutch governments, Blanken supplied the country with docks, harbours, canals and fortifications. One of his best-known works is the North Holland canal, opened in 1824. In the painting in the background is the entrance to the canal, the Willem sluice at Amsterdam, named after the man who commissioned the work, King William I. Here Blanken is portrayed in his official uniform. Like Goudriaan, he was appointed inspector general of the water authority in 1808. Blanken supported the wearing of uniforms: the corps of engineers was organised along military lines.