Maurice, Prince Palatine 1656

Gerard van Honthorst painted "Maurice, Prince Palatine" with oil on canvas, a medium that, by the 17th century, was enmeshed with commerce. Consider the pigments – ground minerals traded across continents, mixed with linseed oil expressed from cultivated flax. Van Honthorst built up thin layers of paint, creating the illusion of light reflecting off Prince Maurice’s polished armor. This was more than just a display of technical skill; it reflected the prince's status. Armor like this was individually forged by a master craftsman, it wasn't just protection, it was a statement of power. The way Van Honthorst captured its sheen speaks to the labor involved, and its value as a luxury object, which also extends to the exotic animal pelt draped over Maurice’s shoulder. Through careful observation and skillful brushwork, Van Honthorst elevated his sitter, reinforcing the social hierarchy of the time. Here, the so-called fine art of painting meets the applied arts of metalwork and furriery, giving us a glimpse into the material culture of the Dutch Golden Age.