Provenance: Bought 1916, through Bukowskis, Stockholm, from a private collection in Paris by Wilhelmina von Hallwyl
Physical Dimensions: w560 x h710 mm (Without frame)
Painter: Paulus Moreelse
Artist info: The Utrecht artist Paulus Moreelse was at home in any field. He painted, made designs for city gates and new urban districts, and was actively involved in politics. The artist studied with the Delft portrait painter Michiel van Miereveld and at some time prior to 1596, he vent to a study-tour to Italy. Back in Utrecht 1596 he helped to the Utrecht Guild in 1611, along with Abraham Bloemaert, and he became its first president.
Moreelse received commissions from right across the Dutch Republic. Other than portraits, he also painted biblical and mythological subjects. His paintings were highly sought after by collectors. He was also active as an architect, building Utrecht's Catharijnepoort (1626, demolished c.1850) and possibly also the Vleeshuis (still existant) on Voorstraat from 1637. He taught at Utrecht's tekenacademie, and among his many pupils was Dirck van Baburen. On his death he was buried in the Buurkerk in Utrecht.