Guillaume de Fal (Flemish 17th century)

Guillaume de Fal (Flemish 17th century)

Portrait of Louis Henry, Prince of Nassau-Dillenburg (1594-1662) and his family, full-length, in the portico of a palace

Signed and dated Guilliam. De Fal Inv f. / 1653. (lower centre)

Oil on canvas

184.2 x 135.5cm; 72½ x 53¼in

Unframed

Louis Henry was the son of the Count George of Nassau-Beilstein and later Nassau-Dillenburg. His mother was Anna Amalie Countess of Nassau-Saarbrücken. After receiving military training under Prince Maurice of Orange-Nassau, he fought in the Thirty Years' War, initially on the Protestant side, before serving in the imperial army. Louis Henry and his brother Albert inherited Nassau-Dillenburg in 1623 and ruled jointly as Counts, until Albert died in 1626 and Louis Henry became the sole ruler, becoming Prince in 1654. In 1616, he married Countess Catherine of Sayn-Wittgenstein (1588-1651) with whom he had five sons and eight daughters. In 1653 he married his second wife Wild- and Rhinegravine Elizabeth of Salm-Dhaun (1593-1656) with whom he had three sons. In 1656, he married his third wife, Sofie Magdalene of Nassau-Hadamar (1622-1658).

A signed and dated variant from 1665, with an extended composition on the right side and additional figures, was sold at Christie's, London, 19 February 1939, lot 27.