Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist David Bailly. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The 1636 portrait depicts Anthony de Wale, a prominent Dutch theologian of the early 17th century.
About this work
This painting was made in 1636, right after the man in it—Anthony de Wale—helped decide a big church argument in the Netherlands.
You see an old man with a white beard, wearing a black robe and a white collar. His hands rest on a book, and he looks straight at you.
This painting was made in 1636, right after the man in it—Anthony de Wale—helped decide a big church argument in the Netherlands. The artist, David Bailly, was known for painting people just like this, but this work was only recently found and isn’t signed.
To see more paintings like this, look up Dutch Golden Age painting.
Overview
The 1636 portrait depicts Anthony de Wale, a prominent Dutch theologian of the early 17th century. Rendered by the Leiden painter David Bailly, the work shows the elderly scholar in a black robe, white collar and white beard, his hands resting on an open volume as he gazes directly at the viewer.
Subject & Meaning
Anthony de Wale (1573‑1639) was a leading contra‑remonstrant theologian, educated under Gomarus in Leiden, and later a professor at the University of Leiden. His participation in the Synod of Dordrecht and his role attending the dying Johan van Oldenbarnevelt underscore his importance in the religious and political disputes of the Dutch Republic.
Technique & Style
Bailly employed the restrained chiaroscuro typical of Dutch portraiture, emphasizing the texture of the black cloth and the delicate rendering of the beard. The composition is straightforward, with the sitter seated before a book, a conventional attribute indicating scholarly authority.
History & Provenance
The portrait was executed shortly after de Wale’s involvement in the 1618‑1619 ecclesiastical controversy. Although unsigned, stylistic analysis links it to Bailly’s workshop. The painting resurfaced only recently, having remained in private hands before entering a public collection.
Context
Created during the Dutch Golden Age, the work reflects the period’s interest in documenting intellectual figures who shaped the Republic’s religious landscape. Portraits of theologians served both as personal commemoration and as visual affirmation of the prevailing contra‑remonstrant orthodoxy.
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Artist & collection
Artist
David Bailly (1584–1657) was a Dutch Golden Age artist known for his still-life paintings, portraits, and self-portraits.
