Mierevelt, a well-known portrait painter of the Dutch school, lived
principally at Delft, although occasionally residing at The Hague. He was
court painter to the House of Orange, and like others of his kind,
evidently enjoyed depicting the elegant costumes and accessories of his
aristocratic sitters. Mierevelt differs widely from his younger and
greater contemporary, Frans Hals, both in technique and in sentiment.
Mierevelt’s style recalls the courtly elegance of the Renaissance—which
one might expect, since he was born well in the XVI century; whereas Frans
Hals, striking out along new lines, represents the new spirit of democracy
which inspired the long struggle in the Low Countries to win political and
religious independence. The portrait, illustrated above, is dated 1630.
[Tapestry, Hunting Scenes. Flemish, about 1600]