(circle of) Nason, Pieter Paintings

Pieter Nason was a Dutch Golden Age portrait painter who was active in the 17th century. He was born around 1612 in Amsterdam or possibly The Hague. Though the details of his early life and artistic training are not well-documented, it is known that he became a master portraitist who worked in a style consistent with the tastes of the courtly and patrician classes of his time.

Nason's career is well-recorded from the 1640s onwards. He became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke in The Hague in 1643, indicating that by this time he was recognized as a professional artist. Nason's portraits are characterized by their refined elegance and attention to the luxurious details of his subjects' attire, which was in line with the fashion of the period. He often painted members of the Dutch elite, military officers, and occasionally, historical scenes.

During his career, Pieter Nason was influenced by other leading portrait painters of the Dutch Golden Age, including Anthony van Dyck, whose style was popular among the aristocracy throughout Europe. Nason's work features a similar sophistication in the portrayal of his sitters, with an emphasis on poise and dignity.

There are several notable works attributed to Pieter Nason, including his portraits of Prince Frederik Hendrik and his wife Amalia van Solms, and other members of the House of Orange-Nassau. These commissions highlight Nason's status as a painter with a clientele of high rank and privilege.

Nason's exact date of death is uncertain, but he was last documented in 1688. Some sources suggest he may have lived until 1690. His works continue to be of interest to art historians and collectors, contributing to the understanding of portraiture in the Dutch Golden Age and the representation of the social elite during that period.