Gerrit van Honthorst (Utrecht 1592-1656) and Studio
Lot 180

Gerrit van Honthorst (Utrecht 1592-1656) and Studio

Portrait of Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange (1567-1625), bust-length, in a black and gold coat with white lace collar, in a painted oval

Closed9 July 2008

Price Realised

GBP 18,750

More Information

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Gerrit van Honthorst (Utrecht 1592-1656) and Studio
Portrait of Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange (1567-1625), bust-length, in a black and gold coat with white lace collar, in a painted oval
signed and dated 'GHonthorst 1643' (centre left) and inscribed 'Prince Maurice.' (upper centre)
oil on panel
29¼ x 23½ in. (74.4 x 59.7 cm.)

Craven Collection, Coombe Abbey, by 1866, and by descent to George Grimston, 3rd Earl of Craven (b. 1841); (+) Phillips, London, 18 December 1984, lot 29, when acquired by the father of the present owner.

Specialist note

Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange, the second son of William the Silent, by Anna, only daughter of the famous Maurice, elector of Saxony, was invested in 1585 as stadtholder of the northern provinces of the Netherlands. A skilled tactician, he defeated the Spanish forces in the north and east but failed to take the southern Netherlands and was forced to conclude a truce with Spain in 1609. His development of military strategy and tactics made the Dutch army the most modern in Europe. In 1618 he consolidated his political power, and as Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, he effectively became king of the Netherlands.