Anthony van Dyck (1599–1641)
Johann of Nassau-Siegen, Seated, ca. 1634
Black chalk, heightened with white chalk, on blue paper
20 1/16 × 13 5/16 in. (50.9 x 33.8 cm)
The British Museum, London
In addition to a portrait of the count in armor, Van Dyck also painted a monumental group portrait of Johann of Nassau-Siegen with his family. The couple appear seated on a dais, flanked by four of their children. As in most of his portrait drawings, Van Dyck focused on the pose and costume of his sitter, barely indicating the face. In the finished painting, Van Dyck altered Johann’s left hand, so that the count seems to be pointing at his son and heir, Johann Franz Desideratus.