Mary, Princess of Orange

Sitterback to top

• Mary, Princess of Orange (1631-1660), Daughter of Charles I; wife of William II of Orange-Nassau. Sitter associated with 49 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Cornelius Johnson (1593-1661), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 133 portraits, Sitter associated with 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The eldest daughter of Charles I and Henrietta Maria, Mary was distinguished as a young girl for her intelligence and beauty. She married William II of Orange when she was nine and he fifteen and went to the Netherlands three years later in 1644. When her husband became Stadholder in 1647 she shared in his public duties. After William's sudden death the Republicans gained control and for the rest of her life Mary struggled for the rights of her son William (later William III of England), born just a few days after his father's death, and those of her brother Charles (later Charles II). This charming portrait shows her before a view of a knot garden in which women and children are walking with a vista of a landscape beyond.

Purchased, 1975.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 417

Portrait setback to top

• The three eldest children of Charles I: paintings by Cornelius Johnson, 1639

Subject/Themeback to top

• Children