Bartholomeus van der Helst: Mary Henrietta Stuart (1652); Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

This exceptionally fine painting by Bartholomeus van der Helst shows Mary Henrietta Stuart, the English princess who was the spouse of William II, Prince of Orange and Count of Nassau. The couple married in 1641, at the age of only ten and fourteen years old, respectively. For that occasion, they were portrayed holding hands by (the studio of) Antony van Dyck.
The Van der Helst-portrait shows Mary in a completely changed situation: it’s now 1652 and Mary is 21 years old. William became Stadtholder (a hereditary head of state) of the Dutch Republic of the United Provinces in 1647, but died only three years later, of smallpox or, as rumor went, poison. Thus, the Mary portrayed here is a young widow, as indicated by the black curtains in the background and Mary’s white mourning dress.
The painter filled the painting with many references to aspects of Mary Stuart’s life. The orange she holds in her hand, for example, refers to her status as Princess of Orange, while the buildings in the background are in The Hague, the Dutch center of power and the residence of the Stadtholder.
Bartholomeus van der Helst (1613-1670) was probably the most sought-after portrait painter of his days, even more famous than Hals and Rembrandt. He was particularly praised for his ability to depict textures and fine details.