Where can I see Philippe de Montmorency?

Philippe de Montmorency is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Philippe de Montmorency?

Philippe de Montmorency is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Philippe de Montmorency?

Museum-quality prints of Philippe de Montmorency are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Philippe de Montmorency

Antonis Mor , 1562

Philippe de Montmorency is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Antonis Mor. It dates from 1562 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting’s restrained palette and careful attention to costume emphasize status and gravitas, aligning with courtly ideals of the mid-sixteenth century.

The portrait depicts Philippe de Montcorency (Count of Horn), a nobleman from the Low Countries. Clad in contemporary court dress, he is shown in three-quarter profile, a pose associated with elite portraiture of the period. The painting’s restrained palette and careful attention to costume emphasize status and gravitas, aligning with courtly ideals of the mid-sixteenth century.

As a political figure who opposed Spanish rule, Philippe de Montmorency’s later execution in 1568 for sedition framed his posthumous reputation as a martyr for the Dutch Revolt. While the portrait itself conveys nobility and authority, its historical resonance deepens when viewed against the Count’s eventual fate.

Technique & Style

The portrait of Philippe de Montmorency is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support, aligned with mid-16th-century Netherlandish portrait conventions.

Handling emphasizes crisp delineation and smooth modeling, characteristic of Antonis Mor’s courtly style. The figure is rendered with precise contours and restrained chiaroscuro, conveying the sitter’s status through dignified posture and refined detailing of costume and features. The restrained palette and careful attention to textile textures underscore the portrait’s function as a status image rather than an expressive study.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Philippe de Montmorency was painted by Antonis Mor in 1562, executed in oil on panel. While the sources do not record a specific commission or earlier owners, the work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, where it is displayed as a portrait of the Count of Horn in the museum’s permanent galleries. The painting’s date of inception is given as 1562‑01‑01, and its dimensions are 108.5 cm high by 78 cm wide.

Overview

In 1562 Antonis Mor created an oil on canvas portrait of Philip de Montmorency, Count of Horn. The work exemplifies the Flemish Baroque approach to court portraiture, presenting the nobleman in a composed, dignified pose. The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and remains a key example of Mor’s diplomatic commissions across Europe.

Portrait of Gerard Reynst, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies

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Artist & collection

Artist

Antonis Mor

Anthonis Mor, also known as Anthonis Mor van Dashorst and Antonio Moro (c. 1517 – 1577), was a Netherlandish portrait painter, much in demand by the courts of Europe. He has also been referred to as Antoon, Anthonius,…