Double Portrait of Constantijn Huygens (1596-1687) and Suzanna van Baerle (1599-1637)

Constantijn Huygens and Suzanna van Baerle were Johan Maurits’s future neighbours here on Plein Square in The Hague. The couple had their portrait painted by Jacob van Campen, who also designed the Mauritshuis. Huygens, Van Campen and the count were all friends.

In the 17th century, marriage portraits mostly consisted of two separate paintings, but Van Campen’s double portrait is an exception to the rule. He painted Constantijn in profile, while Suzanna leans forward and looks out at us.