Newly discovered portrait William of Orange

A previously unknown portrait of William of Orange, painted in 1583 by Adriaen Thomasz. Key, is on view for the first time at Stedelijk Museum Breda. Over the coming year, the portrait will be one of the highlights of the museum’s permanent exhibition The Nassaus of Breda.

The painting surfaced in October last year at a British auction house. It was dirty and attributed to the circle of Adriaen Thomasz. Key (1545–1589). A Flemish art dealer acquired the work. After thorough restoration, experts determined that it is a fourth version of the famous portrait of William of Orange painted by Key himself. Other known versions are held by the Mauritshuis, the Rijksmuseum, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid.

William of Orange is depicted wearing the costume of the Steward of Brabant, a position granted to him by the States of Brabant as leader of the Dutch Revolt. The painting is dated 1583, one year before William of Orange was assassinated in Delft.

Starting 11 October, the portrait will be exhibited for the first time at Stedelijk Museum Breda, as part of the joint exhibition William – The Price of Freedom, produced in collaboration with Museum Prinsenhof Delft.

© Private collection Jan Muller, Ghent

The portrait is included in the catalogue raisonné Willem and Adriaen Thomasz. Key: Fresh Perspectives on Their Oeuvres by Lien Vandenberghe and Gijsbrecht Key, edited by Koeraad Jonckheere. The publication will be released early next year as part of the series Pictura Nova: Studies in 16th and 17th Century Flemish Painting and Drawing, published by Brepols.