Gualtero del Prado (b 1535-before 1618)

About this artwork

inscriptie, achterzijde: ‘Gualtero del Prado. Trouwt Lucretia Pellicorne. Geb: 1535. Overl: / 38’

Art Historical Context

**Gualtero del Prado is a striking portrait painted by Gortziusorp in 1597, capturing the eponymous sitter at around age 62. Geldorp, a Flemish artist in Antwerp and later England (c. 1553–1616), specialized in detailed, lifelike portraits that bridged the Northern Renaissance and early Baroque styles. Rendered in oil on panel favored medium for its smooth surface and durability—this work measures 113 × 86 cm, making it an imposing yet intimate study suitable for a private collection or family heirloom. The painting's reverse bears a poignant inscription: “Gualtero del Prado. Trouwt Lucretia Pellicorne. Geb: 1535. Overl: / 38,” noting his birth in 1535, marriage to Lucretia Pellicorne, and death around 1638. Created during the late Dutch Revolt era, when Antwerp was a vibrant hub of trade and culture amid political turmoil, this portrait likely commemorates a prosperous merchant or civic figure—evident from the subject's dignified pose and the personal details preserved. Such inscriptions were common in 16th-century Northern European portraits, transforming paintings into family chronicles. Housed today in the Rijksmuseum, **Gualtero del Prado** exemplifies Geldorp's mastery of realistic flesh tones and expressive features, offering a window into the lives of the emerging Dutch elite. Visitors will appreciate its blend of technical precision and emotional resonance, a testament to portraiture's role in preserving identity across generations.

About the Artist

Gortzius Geldorp · 1553–1626

Comment on works: Portraits; History