Wolfert van Brederode was about fourteen when his portrait was painted by Mijtens, the court painter in The Hague. He came from an old noble family and was a nephew of the stadholder. Wolfert is wearing a roman soldier’s uniform, which is a reference to his military position. Even though he was unusually young, he already led a company of the cavalry.
The ‘trophy frame’ belongs to the painting. It is decorated with all sorts of weaponry, including a cannon, battle drums, a trumpet and helmets.