A Life in the Hague Born in The Hague, Netherlands, Simon Ruys lived and worked during a period of significant diplomatic activity in the Dutch Republic. His presence in the city coincided with the height of his creative output, which spanned from 1670 until his death in 1690. He was a painter who learned his craft under the guidance of Jacques Vaillant, a connection that likely helped shape his approach to portraiture and the depiction of formal figures. His work reflects the social hierarchies of the late seventeenth century. He focused on the likenesses of individuals who held weight in th…