Artwork
Portrait of Philips (1566-95, Count of Nassau
Portrait of Philips (1566-95, Count of Nassau is an oil painting. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is an oil painting portraying a man against a dark backdrop.
About this work
Overview
The work is an oil painting portraying a man against a dark backdrop. He is dressed in a black doublet with a white collar, a gold chain, and a brown leather shoulder piece that resembles armor. His hair is short and neatly trimmed, and his expression is serious, softened by a faint smile. The composition centers on his illuminated face.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is identified as Philips, Count of Nassau, who lived from 1566 to 1595. The inclusion of a leather shoulder piece styled like armor hints at his status as a nobleman with a military role, while the restrained demeanor reflects the dignified portrait conventions of his era.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts between light and shadow to model the figure’s features. The illumination falls on the face and upper garments, creating depth and emphasizing texture, while the dark background isolates the subject and enhances the three‑dimensional effect.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 16th century, the portrait has remained associated with the Nassau lineage. Its provenance traces through private collections before entering a public museum setting, where it is displayed as part of the broader representation of European aristocratic portraiture.
Artist & collection
Portrait of Lodewijk Günther (1575-1604), Count of Nassau
Portrait of Lodewijk (1538-74), Count of Nassau
Portrait of Hendrik (1550-74), Count of Nassau
Portrait of Adolf (1540-68), Count of Nassau
Portrait of an unknown count or officer, possibly Jan the Elder (1535-1606), Count of Nassau
Portrait of Ernst Casimir (1573-1632), Count of Nassau-Dietz
