Michiel Adriaanszoon Reuter is considered to be one of the greatest Commanders in Dutch naval history. He was raised to nobility by the Danish King Frederik III in 1660 as a sign of gratitude for his assistance to the Danes during the war between Denmark and Sweden 1658-60.
The portrait was executed in 1656 as part of a series of 24 paintings depicting foreign emissaries in Denmark, originally placed in Frederiksborg Castle 1656-58. It was, together with four other portraits of Dutch naval commanders, most likely taken to Sweden and Skokloster Castle as war booty in 1660 by Carl Gustaf Wrangel.