This imposting portrait by the Delft master Michiel van Mierevelt (1566 – 1641) depicts Jacob Huygensz. van der Dussen (ca. 1553 – 1622), who was Mayor of Delft and one of the three Deputies in the Field (or ‘Gedeputeerde ter Velde’) at the Battle of Nieuwpoort as representatives of the States General. This important military conflict was fought on 2 July 1600 in the dunes near Nieuwpoort. The Anglo-Dutch companies met the Spanish veterans head on which, although their left flank nearly broke, were able to assail them with both infantry and cavalry. The Spanish gradually scattered in all directions and left their guns on the field.

The medal which Van de Dussen wears, issued in commemoration of the Siege of Nieuwpoort, was designed by Gerard van Bylaer (1573 – 1617), after a drawing by Jacob de Gheyn II (ca. 1565 – 1629). It depicts Prince Maurice of Orange on horseback with his sword raised, who rides across fallen enemy soldiers. It reads: ‘CAPTIS CXXX MI¬LIT : SIGNIS : ORD : AVSP : PRINCEPS MAVR : VICTOR : REDIIT’, which translate to: ‘one hundred and thirty flaggs conquered under the authority of the States, Prince Maurits returned victorious’. Van der Dussen and the other two Deputies, Grand Pensionary Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and De Huybert, were awarded a medal in gold by the States General.