Heinrich Julius, Duke of Brunswick (1564-1613) Signed and dated 1608
Oil on canvas | 238.5 x 140.0 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 405814
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Heinrich Julius was the son of Julius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1528-1589) and Hedwig of Brandenburg (1540-1602). He married twice, first in 1585 to Hedwig Dorothea of Saxe who died giving birth to their first child, and secondly to Elisabeth, Princess of Denmark (1573-1625) with whom he had a further ten children, five of whose portraits - all dated 1609 and attributed to Van Doort - are also in the Royal Collection (RCIN 402627, 404914, 404963, 406783 and 407222).
The Duke of Brunswick is shown in a dark doublet, wide trunk hose and stockings, with a collar edged with spiky needle lace. Across his chest is a blue sash and there is a brooch pinned to his right shoulder. This painting forms a pendant with the portrait of his second wife (RCIN 405815) and in each there is a monkey on the table beside the sitter. A dog sits at his feet.
Provenance
Probably acquired by Anne of Denmark and one of the portraits of 'Henry Julius Duke of Brunswick, and his wife' seen hanging at Whitehall in 1613 by the Duke of Saxe-Weimar; almost certainly recorded in the Second Privy Lodging Room at Whitehall in 1666 (no 210) -
Creator(s)
(nationality) -
Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
238.5 x 140.0 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
195.5 x 111.2 cm (support (etc), excluding additions)
264.9 x 164.7 x 8.5 cm (frame, external)
Other number(s)
OM add-DoortAlternative title(s)
Henry Julius, Duke of Brunswick (1564-1613)