Jan van Scorel: Portrait of Joris van Egmond (1535-1540)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

A painting by the Dutch artist Jan van Scorel (1495 - 1562). Joris or George van Egmond was the son of count Jan III van Egmont, stadtholder of Holland, zeeland and West-Friesland. His father and family played an important role in the Habsburgs court and emperor Charles V actively promoted Joris for various church posts: a canonry in Liège (1525), from 1525 to 1532, the office of commendatory abbot of St Amand. After 1534 Charles V nominated Joris Bishop of Utrecht, and his consecration took place the following year. Joris was considered wise church administrator in Utrecht, and was admired for his piety and learning. He also a generous patron of the arts with gifts of stained glass, paintings (including Jan van Scorel), and additions to the bishop’s residence at Wijk bij Duurstede, which Charles V granted Joris in 1545. Joris is shown here in a black tabbaard gown lined with brown fur over a black doublet and a white shirt with a ruffled collar and cuffs, and has a black baret on his head. Painting from 1535-1540.