Mary, Princess of Orange (1631-1660) daughter of King Charles I; consort of William II of Orange-Nassau

Location

Country: Netherlands
City: The Hague
Place: British Embassy

This portrait, attributed to Van Dyck's studio, shows Princess Mary at about the time of her wedding, since she wears a wedding ring. It is like the double full-length portrait, now in the Rijksmuseum, of her and her husband, painted by Van Dyck and his studio. A similar portrait to this, also from Van Dyck's studio, was sold at Christie's, London, on 15 December 1976 (Lot 59).

This work was sold through Christie’s, London, in 1922, from the collection of Simon Henry Fraser, a coal-owner of Bank House, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, near Newcastle. Fraser leased a Northumberland coal mine called Pegswood Colliery from the Duke of Portland from 1868. In 1890 he married Amy Brunette Kemble of the Kemble family of actors and performers, a distant cousin to actress and author Frances [Fanny] Kemble and her sister, singer and author Adelaide Sartoris. The painting was purchased from Christie’s in 1922 by someone named ‘Arthurston’.

It passed through Christie’s, London, again in 1951, when it was sold from the collection of Edward Hulton Esq., possibly Sir Edward George Warris Hulton (1906-1988), magazine publisher and writer.

Sir Anthony van Dyck was born in Antwerp. Early in his career he was an assistant to Peter Paul Rubens. He first visited England between November 1620 and February 1621, where his work impressed King James I. He then travelled to Italy, staying until the autumn of 1627, before returning to Antwerp. During his time in Italy, van Dyck developed as a portrait painter, painting mostly wealthy merchant-princes. His style evolved under the influence of works by Titian and Veronese. In 1632 he returned to England, where he became 'Principal Painter in Ordinary' to Charles I. The following year he was knighted. His portraits of the royal family enhanced their prestige at home and abroad and his work had a profound influence on British portraiture.

People

Princess of Orange Mary (1631 - 1660)

Places

Subjects

royal portrait, girl, 17th century costume, dress, ring, wedding ring, bracelet, necklace, brooch, pearls, van dyke collar, ribbon (as Subject - costume accessory), daughter, child, Princess

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Sir Anthony van, (after) Dyck

Title

Mary, Princess of Orange (1631-1660) daughter of King Charles I; consort of William II of Orange-Nassau

Date

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 154.00 cm, width: 106.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Christie's, 4 May 1951

Provenance

Collection of Simon Henry Fraser (died 1921) of Newcastle; by whose executors sold through Christie’s, London, on 15 December 1922, ‘Pictures by Old Masters‘ (Lot 23), for £241,10,0; from which sale purchased by ‘Arthurston’; collection of Edward Hulton; by whom sold, via Agnew’s Gallery, London, through Christie’s, London, on 4 May 1951 (Lot 58); from which sale purchased by Agnew’s Gallery, London, on behalf of the Ministry of Works

GAC number

1305