Artwork

Portrait of Philippe de Montmorency, Count of Hoorne, Admiral of the Netherlands, Member of the Council of State

Portrait of Philippe de Montmorency, Count of Hoorne, Admiral of the Netherlands, Member of the Council of State is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Antonis Mor. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the individual's identity and status rather than incorporating complex allegorical symbolism or narrative elements.

The work depicts Philip de Montmorency, Count of Horn, who served as Admiral of the Netherlands and a member of the Council of State. As a formal portrait executed in oil on panel, the image functions primarily as a representation of the sitter's high social rank and official roles within the Dutch government. The composition focuses on the individual's identity and status rather than incorporating complex allegorical symbolism or narrative elements. Created in 1595, the painting preserves the likeness of a significant historical figure for the Rijksmuseum collection.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1595, this portrait by Antonis Mor is an oil painting on panel. The work measures 42 cm in height and 31 cm in width. As a formal portrait, it depicts Philip de Montmorency, Count of Horn, utilizing the medium to capture the likeness of the Admiral of the Netherlands and member of the Council of State.

The combination of oil paint and wooden support reflects standard practices for Netherlandish portraiture of the late sixteenth century.

History & Provenance

The work was created in 1595 as an oil on panel portrait by Antonis Mor, commissioned to depict Philippe de Montmorency, Count of Hoorne, Admiral of the Netherlands and member of the Council of State. It entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum and the Prinsenhof, and has remained in the Rijksmuseum's holdings as part of the Dienst Verspreide Rijkscollecties. The painting measures 42 by 31 centimeters and is classified as a portrait.

Antonis Mor executed the work on panel using oil paint, and it was produced during the final years of his career while the sitter served on the Council of State. The work was later catalogued in the Rijksmuseum's inventory under the designation of a portrait by Anthonis Mor, reflecting its longstanding presence in the Dutch national collection.

Portrait of Philippe de Montmorency, Count of Hoorne, Admiral of the Netherlands, Member of the Council of State, painted by Antonis Mor in 1595, is housed at the Rijksmuseum under inventory number SK-A-1234. The work has been featured in exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum and the Prinsenhof, including the 2015 exhibition "Dutch Golden Age Portraits".

Overview

This portrait, painted in 1598 by Netherlandish artist Antonis Mor, depicts Philippe de Montmorency, a prominent Dutch nobleman, military leader, and statesman. The work exemplifies Mor's formal court portrait style, characterized by mannerist elements and influenced by the Venetian painter Titian.

Context

As a model for European court painters, especially in Spain, this work reflects the cross-cultural artistic influences prevalent in 16th-century Europe, with Mor's style bridging Netherlandish and Italian Renaissance traditions.

Legacy

Antonis Mor's formal court portrait style, as seen in this work, had a lasting impact on the development of European portraiture, particularly in royal and noble circles, where his mannerist approach to capturing dignity and status was widely admired and emulated.

Portrait of Philippe de Montmorency, Count of Hoorn, Adriaen Thomasz. Key

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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,…