Artwork
Henriette Marie (1626–51) of Paltz, daughter of Frederick V, King of Bohemia, nicknamed the 'Winter King'.
Henriette Marie (1626–51) of Paltz, daughter of Frederick V, King of Bohemia, nicknamed the 'Winter King'. is an unspecified painting by Alexander Cooper. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Executed in 1650 by Alexander Cooper, the miniature portrays a princess of the dispossessed Palatine royal line during her family's prolonged exile.
The work depicts Henriette Marie of the Palatinate (1626–1651), daughter of the exiled Frederick V, the so-called "Winter King" of Bohemia. Executed in 1650 by Alexander Cooper, the miniature portrays a princess of the dispossessed Palatine royal line during her family's prolonged exile. The very genre of the miniature, intimate, portable, and precious at 4.7 × 3.7 cm, suggests a personal keepsake or diplomatic gift, preserving the sitter's likeness and status at a time when her family lacked a throne. The portrait thus functions as an assertion of continued noble identity and dynastic persistence despite political catastrophe.
Technique & Style
A small portrait painted on cardboard around 1650 depicts Henriette Marie of the Palatinate. The work measures approximately 4.7 centimeters in height and 3.7 centimeters in width, reflecting its format as a miniature. It is classified as a painting and attributed to Alexander Cooper, whose style likely informed its handling and compositional precision.
The use of cardboard as a support was atypical for formal portraiture, suggesting a practical or experimental approach to materials. Its diminutive scale emphasizes intimacy and detail, aligning with the conventions of miniature portraiture in the period. The work is housed in the Rijksmuseum and is recognized as part of the Dutch historical and art collection.
History & Provenance
The painting of Henriette Marie of the Palatinate by Alexander Cooper is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which was formerly known as the Nederlandsch Museum voor Geschiedenis en Kunst. The work, created in 1650, is classified as a miniature painted on cardboard. Specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available records. The sources do not contain information regarding any past or future exhibitions of this specific artwork.
Overview
Created around 1650 by the Flemish painter Alexander Cooper, this intimate oval portrait portrays Henriette Marie of the Palatinate (1626–1651), the daughter of Frederick V, the so‑called ‘Winter King’ of Bohemia. Executed on a piece of cardboard and encased in a gold, scalloped frame, the work measures only a few inches, suggesting it was intended for personal viewing rather than public display. It is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Context
Henriette Marie lived during a time of political upheaval; her father’s short rule earned him the nickname ‘Winter King.’ Portraits of royal children served both as affirmations of lineage and as portable symbols of dynastic continuity. Cooper’s work reflects this function, offering a discreet yet recognizable image of a princess whose family navigated exile and restoration.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Alexander Cooper (1609–1660) was an English miniature artist, born in London.
Portrait of Elizabeth Stuart, Electress Palatine and Queen of Bohemia
Portrait of Elizabeth, widow of Frederick V of the Palatinate
Portrait of Elisabeth of the Palatinate
Willem II (1626-1650). Prince of Orange
Anders Lilliehöök, Baron, Officer
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), lordprotektor i England
Unknown man
Unknown woman
