Graaf Willem I van Holland 1517 - 1530

This is an engraving of Graaf Willem 1 van Holland, and it comes to us from an anonymous artist. The image depicts a knight on horseback, sword in hand, with an army of soldiers behind him and the family crest to the left. Images like this one served to bolster the identity and solidify the authority of noble families. During the medieval period, noble status was inherited and legitimized through lineage. Family crests, displayed in art and architecture, signified ancestry and proclaimed social standing. Willem the 1st ruled from 1203 to 1222; however, it is likely this image was created after his death and designed to continue his legacy. Consider how visual representations of power shape our understanding of history. Ask yourself, what values and messages are conveyed through this image, and how might it have influenced perceptions of nobility and leadership?