Abraham Casteleyn and his Wife, Margarieta van Bancken

Jan de Bray's double portrait of Abraham Casteleyn and his wife Margarieta van Bancken from 1663, in the Rijksmuseum, depicts the printer-publisher of the Haerlemsche Courant, one of the earliest Dutch newspapers. De Bray was a leading Haarlem painter who specialized in classicizing history paintings and portraits. The painting captures a prominent figure in Dutch media history, with Casteleyn shown at his desk in a pose that emphasizes his intellectual and entrepreneurial identity.

De Bray's technique combines the detailed rendering of the sitters' features with a warm, golden palette that creates an atmosphere of professional dignity. The careful depiction of the desk, papers, and printing-related objects adds documentary value to the portrait.