About the Original:
Willem Wissing was a Dutch artist who arrived in London in 1676. He studied under Sir Peter Lely and succeeded him, effectively taking over Lely?s business from 1680 until Wissing s own death in 1687 at the age of thirty-one. All of Wissing s works in the Royal Collection date from this period. The original portrait of Queen Mary II, taken in Holland in 1685, is a signed work by Wissing (OM 323, 404449). The future Queen Mary II (1662-94) is depicted wearing a blue dress with white sleeves, adorned with diamond brooches and strings of pearls, complemented by a red ermine-lined cloak. The background features a baroque palace and terraces to the right, providing insight into the studio production methods of the time, where figures and styles were often recycled and updated.
Provenance:
First recorded in store at Kensington Palace in 1710 (no. 173)
In the Dining Room below Stair at Hampton Court in 1720 and 1750
In the King s Dining Room at Buckingham Palace in 1819 (no. 740)
In the King s First Presence Chamber at Hampton Court in 1861 (no. 23)

Description:
This painting is a tribute to Willem Wissing s original portrait. The artist chose to concentrate more on the bust of Queen Mary II, as opposed to the almost full-figure composition of the original. This focus on the portrait is emphasized by the decision to mute the lush details of the original background. Instead, the background here is reduced to a dark surface with varied hues of sienna, burnt sienna, and red. This artistic choice highlights the luminous features of Queen Mary II, making her the focal point of the painting.

Details:
Title: Portrait of Mary II (1662-94) when Princess of Orange
Artist: After Willem Wissing (1656-87)
Date: Second quarter of the 20th Century
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: Sight 29 x 24 in; Frame 36 x 31 in
Condition Report: Overall good condition.