Otto, Count of Nassau and his Wife Adelheid van Vianen 1530 - 1535

Bernard van Orley created this drawing of Otto, Count of Nassau and his wife Adelheid van Vianen, in the 16th century. The work provides insight into the lives of the aristocracy during the Renaissance. The Count and his wife are depicted on horseback, adorned in finery, which speaks to the era’s rigid social hierarchies. The presence of heraldic symbols underscores their lineage and power, reminding us of the importance placed on noble identity. Yet, it is important to remember that these images are constructions. They are less a mirror reflecting reality, and more a stage which allows for the performance of power. Van Orley presents us with a narrative steeped in tradition, and yet as viewers we might ask ourselves, whose stories remain untold? What emotions are concealed beneath these displays of grandeur? This drawing offers a glimpse into a world defined by wealth and status, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of identity, representation, and the silent voices that history often overlooks.