Bernard Vaillant: A Dutch Golden Age Portraitist Caught Between Brothers Bernard Vaillant (1632 in Lille – 1698 in Leiden) emerges from the rich tapestry of the Dutch Golden Age as a skilled and somewhat enigmatic painter. While often overshadowed by his more celebrated brother, Wallerant Vaillant, Bernard’s contributions to portraiture—particularly his engravings and oil paintings—offer a compelling glimpse into the artistic landscape of 17th-century Europe. His life story is intertwined with that of his family, marked by travel, religious transitions, and ultimately, an untimely death in L…