Portrait of Wilhelm I of Orange

Wilhelm I of Orange - diplomat, politician, later the first stadgalter who led the Dutch uprising against Spanish rule. Constantly arriving on the road and organizing widespread uprisings did not seem to have time to pose for artists. Since his appearance is known to us only thanks to no more than a couple of portraits, the most recognizable of which is the work of Kay, Adrian Thomas. The portrait was made in 1579 (referring to information from the profile picture on the website of the Rijksmuseum), and displays a pose in the last five years of his life. ^[2]

The writing of the picture was preceded by the following key events: the appointment of Wilhelm of Orange of the Netherlands from 1572 and the appointment of a ruvard (the highest administrative position) of Brabant in 1577. ^[3] This is the peak of his political and managerial career. To fight the Spanish troops, William I of Orange is looking for foreign allies. It is necessary to assume that it was for their own recognition among the Dutch population and international partners that a portrait was ordered, from which, subsequently, prints could be drawn. A Flemish portrait painter was invited to perform this task - Kay, Adrian Thomas.

Today, it is officially known about the three paintings of William I of Orange, which are derived from the now lost original. One picture is in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum ( Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid ) ^[4] , the second in Mauritshuis ( Mauritshuis, The Hague ) ^[5] , and the third in Rijksmuseum , (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam ). ^[6] It is the work in the latter that is considered better and closer to the original.

The portrait of William I of Orange is known in two versions, and all three paintings now placed in museums are derived from the now lost original. Adrian Thomas Kay depicted posing on a completely dark background, in combination with which bodily tones stand out more than white collar and embroidery with gray and gold threads on clothes. Particularly clear and detailed is the face that conveys individual features with many details. Wilhelm I of Orange is depicted at the age of 46, which is indicated by the date in the upper left corner of the portrait. In the version in the museum of The Hague, the figure decreases on the left side and there is no shoulder and arm, and his face is depicted more severe. ^[four]

Portrait refers to a subgenre - a historical portrait. By the nature of the image - a chamber portrait. Design - frameless. According to the type of background, the portrait is neutral (in this case, dark), since the goal was to focus exclusively on the face of the person depicted. Technique - oil. Typing by form - vertical format. The composition of the format - bust portrait, turning the head in a quarter.

• Profile picture on the website of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam