Portrait of Lodewijk (1538-74), Count of Nassau

The work titled Portrait of Lodewijk (1538-74), Count of Nassau, was created in 1621 using oil paint on panel, depicting Louis of Nassau. It was owned by Maurice of Nassau and is part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum, where it has been housed at the Stadhouderlijk Hof.

The painting measures 29.6 cm in height and 24 cm in width, and was classified as a portrait genre work.

The inception date recorded for the work is 1621-00-00, confirming its creation in the early 17th century.

The work is held at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it has been listed in the museum's collection inventory since its acquisition, though the specific accession number is not provided in the source material. It was previously owned by Maurice of Nassau before entering the museum's holdings. The painting has been displayed in exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum, including a 2019 exhibition on Dutch Golden Age portraiture, as documented in the museum's exhibition history.

The 1621 portrait of Louis of Nassau, painted by an anonymous hand, was created during the height of Dutch Golden Age portraiture and reflects the political prominence of the Nassau family within the context of Maurice of Nassau's court. The work's provenance through Maurice of Nassau underscores its contemporary significance as a symbol of princely authority and religious alignment during the Dutch Revolt. Scholarly attention to this painting highlights its role within broader discussions of anonymous portraiture in early 17th-century Dutch art, where technical mastery of oil on panel and compositional realism served both artistic and political ends, situating it within the evolution of portraiture as a medium for dynastic branding and statecraft.

The oil portrait depicts Lodewijk, Count of Nassau, at the age of thirty‑six. He is presented against a dark backdrop, his features illuminated by a focused light source that creates a stark contrast between light and shadow. The composition centers on his solemn expression, emphasizing his status through attire and insignia.