Artwork
Stadtholder Prince Maurice Lying in State
Stadtholder Prince Maurice Lying in State is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Adriaen van de Venne. It dates from 1625 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The small copper painting by Adriaen van de Venne depicts the public lying-in-state of Stadtholder Maurice of Orange, who died in 1625.
The small copper painting by Adriaen van de Venne depicts the public lying-in-state of Stadtholder Maurice of Orange, who died in 1625. Classified as a catafalque portrait, the work belongs to a tradition of commemorative images recording funeral ceremonies of the House of Orange, presenting the deceased prince on his bier as the focal subject of dynastic mourning.
The diminutive scale (7.3 × 12.1 cm) and copper support suit the intimate, devotional character typical of such memorial pieces, which circulated among court circles as keepsakes of the prince's final honors. Held in the Rijksmuseum, the painting functions both as a historical record of the 1625 funeral rites and as a symbolic tribute to Maurice's role as leader of the Dutch Republic.
Technique & Style
The painting is executed in oil on copper, a support associated with refined detail and luminous effects. The composition centers on the recumbent figure of Prince Maurice, rendered with careful attention to the textures of fabric and armor. A subdued palette and restrained handling emphasize solemnity, while the subdued lighting and symmetrical arrangement reinforce the ceremonial gravity of the lying-in-state scene.
The copper support, measuring approximately 7.3 cm in height and 12.1 cm in width, contributes to the work’s intimate scale and polished finish.
History & Provenance
Stadtholder Prince Maurice Lying in State was commissioned as a catafalque portrait of Maurice of Nassau and created in 1625 by Adriaen van de Venne. The work was painted on copper and executed in oil, measuring 12.1 cm in height and 7.3 cm in width. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum and has remained in that institution since its creation.
The painting’s provenance is confined to the Rijksmuseum, where it has been held continuously since its completion.
The painting Stadtholder Prince Maurice Lying in State is housed in the Rijksmuseum, National Art Gallery of the Netherlands. It is catalogued under the inventory number SK-A-2586. The work has been exhibited in the Rijksmuseum's presentation of Dutch Golden Age paintings.
Overview
Adriaen van de Venne’s 1625 copper painting records the funeral of Prince Maurice of Nassau, the Dutch stadtholder. Executed during the Dutch Golden Age, the work presents the deceased in a solemn, dimly lit setting, emphasizing the ritual of state mourning.
Context
Prince Maurice (1567‑1625) was a leading military commander and political figure in the early Dutch Republic. His death prompted a state funeral, a subject that resonated with contemporary audiences and reflected the era’s interest in commemorating national heroes through portraiture.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne (1589 – 12 November 1662), was a versatile Dutch Golden Age painter of allegories, genre subjects, and portraits, as well as a miniaturist, book illustrator, designer of political satires, and versifier.
Untitled
Prince Maurits accompanied by his two brothers, Frederick V, Elector of the Palatinate, and some counts of Nassau on horseback
Spring
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How Well We Go Together
Autumn
Winter
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