Master of the Portraits of Princes: Portrait of Portrait of Engelbrecht II, count of Nassau (1480-1490)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

A painting by an anonymous 15th century Flemish artist with the notname "master of the portraits of princes". Engelbert II (1451-1504), count of Nassau and Vianen and lord of Breda, Lek, Diest, Roosendaal, Nispen and Wouw was a high ranking Dutch noble. He was in the service of the Burgundian duke Charles the Bold but after the death of Charles at the battle of Nancy, Engelbrecht enters the service of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, who had married Charles's daughter Mary of Burgundy. A soldier and a courtier, Engelbrecht remained loyal to his lord and his children who rewarded him with high ranking positions within the Netherlands. In 1494 he became the president of the Great Council (the highest court in the Netherlands), in 1496 stadtholder of the Netherlands and in 1501 he became regent of all the Netherlands. Engelbrecht died in 1504 and was buried in the Great church of Breda with an elaborate tomb. On this portrait Engelbrecht is shown at the age of 35. To show his high status he has a hawk and dis wearing the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Engelbrecht is an indirect relative of prince William I 'the silent' of Orange, founding father of the Netherlands. Painting from 1480-1490.