Who painted Portrait of Esaias du Pré?

Portrait of Esaias du Pré was painted by Cornelis van, Dalen in 1643.

Where can I see Portrait of Esaias du Pré?

Portrait of Esaias du Pré is held by Leiden University Libraries.

What movement is Portrait of Esaias du Pré?

Portrait of Esaias du Pré is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Portrait of Esaias du Pré

Cornelis van, Dalen , 1643

Portrait of Esaias du Pré is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Cornelis van, Dalen. It dates from 1643 and is held in the collection of the Leiden University Libraries.

About this work

The artist copied this from an earlier work by Baudringien, which is an interesting fact about this piece.

This painting shows a man, Esaias du Pré, in a formal setting.
He's wearing old-fashioned clothes and has a serious expression.
The artist copied this from an earlier work by Baudringien, which is an interesting fact about this piece.

The copy is from 1643, two years after the original.
This suggests the artist, Cornelis van Dalen, admired the earlier work.

You can learn more about this style by looking at the technique of chiaroscuro.

Overview

The work is a portrait of Esaias du Pré, executed as a copy in 1643 after an original painted by Baudringien in 1641. The image presents the sitter in formal attire, his expression solemn, set against a restrained background typical of mid‑seventeenth‑century portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

Esaias du Pré is depicted in contemporary dress, suggesting his status and the conventions of portraiture that emphasized dignity and social rank. The inclusion of a French poem beneath the image, authored by an individual identified only as M.A., adds a literary dimension, possibly commenting on the sitter’s virtues or commemorating the occasion.

Technique & Style

The copyist employed chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figure’s features and clothing, a method prevalent in Dutch portraiture of the period. The handling of texture in the fabrics and the subtle gradations of tone reflect the influence of the original Baudringien composition while showcasing the copyist’s own skill.

History & Provenance

Cornelis van Dalen produced the 1643 version, two years after Baudringien’s original, indicating a deliberate effort to preserve or disseminate the image. An inscription reading “Carolus Allard excudit” appears on the work, identifying the printer or publisher responsible for its reproduction, which helps trace its early circulation.

Context

The practice of copying recent portraits was common in the Dutch Republic, serving both as a means of honoring admired individuals and as a way to satisfy market demand for recognizable images. This portrait fits within that tradition, linking the artistic networks of Baudringien, van Dalen, and the literary figure M.A., and reflecting the cross‑cultural exchange evident in the French verse accompanying a Dutch painting.