Artwork
Portrait of Hendrik Casimir II (1657-96), ruler of Nassau-Dietz

Portrait of Hendrik Casimir II (1657-96), ruler of Nassau-Dietz is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Marie Duchatel. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1696, this oval portrait presents Hendrik Casimir II, Prince of Nassau‑Dietz, rendered on a cardboard support.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created by Marie Duchatel in 1690, the piece functions as a miniature portrait, a genre often used for intimate or commemorative representation of nobility.
The work depicts Prince Hendrik Casimir II, the ruler of Nassau-Dietz, capturing his likeness during his lifetime. Created by Marie Duchatel in 1690, the piece functions as a miniature portrait, a genre often used for intimate or commemorative representation of nobility. Executed on cardboard, the small-scale format, measuring 5.1 by 4 centimeters, suggests a personal object intended for close viewing rather than public display.
As a portrait of a specific historical figure, the painting serves to document the physical appearance of the prince, preserving his image within the context of the Dutch ruling families of the late seventeenth century.
Technique & Style
The portrait is executed on cardboard, a support consistent with the small-scale format of the work. With dimensions of approximately 5.1 cm in height by 4 cm in width, it is classified as a miniature, a format that typically requires fine, controlled handling and precise brushwork to render features at such a reduced scale.
Stylistically, the work belongs to the portrait tradition of late seventeenth-century Holland, where Marie Duchatel was active. The miniature scale and cardboard support reflect the conventions of the genre, prioritizing detailed likeness over large-scale painterly effects.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Hendrik Casimir II, ruler of Nassau-Dietz, was created by Marie Duchatel in 1690. Executed in Holland, the work is a miniature painting on cardboard measuring 5.1 cm in height and 4 cm in width. The piece depicts Prince Hendrik Casimir II and is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Context
Marie Duchatel painted this portrait of Prince Hendrik Casimir II of Nassau-Dietz in 1690, depicting him as a young ruler in a miniature format created on cardboard. The work belongs to the portrait genre and reflects Dutch artistic practices of the late 17th century, specifically through its use of humble materials like cardboard to produce refined portraiture. It is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection and was made in Holland, situating it within the broader context of Dutch portraiture where miniature formats and unconventional supports were employed for specific ceremonial or devotional purposes.
Legacy
The painting's influence is noted through its inclusion in the Rijksmuseum collection and its classification as a miniature portrait genre, reflecting early modern Dutch portraiture traditions. Its reputation is tied to the depiction of Prince Hendrik Casimir II, a figure associated with the House of Nassau-Dietz, anchoring its historical significance within Dutch aristocratic circles.
Overview
Created in 1696, this oval portrait presents Hendrik Casimir II, Prince of Nassau‑Dietz, rendered on a cardboard support. The work belongs to the late Dutch Golden Age and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. It exemplifies the cross‑court activity of its creator, the Flemish miniaturist Marie Duchatel, who was active in the courts of Denmark and East Frisia before marrying the Dutch painter Eglon van der Neer.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Marie Duchatel also known as Maria Du Chastel (1652–1692) was a Flemish painter and miniaturist.










