De Graven van Holland en Zeeland 1860

This print, ‘The Counts of Holland and Zeeland,’ was made by an anonymous artist, using an unrecorded technique. The image shows the rulers who held power in the region we now know as the Netherlands. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the historical consciousness of the time. Consider the image's visual codes: each Count is carefully rendered with specific attributes of dress and bearing. How do these visual signifiers construct a sense of authority and lineage? This image can be read in relation to the nationalistic sentiments that rose in the 19th century. These sentiments saw the creation of institutions such as national museums and archives, and an interest in visualizing a shared cultural history. The historian's role involves tracing how such images contributed to shaping national identity. By consulting period documents, political writings, and popular media, we can understand how historical figures were selectively remembered and how they played a part in the construction of a national myth. The meaning of an artwork is always contingent on its social and institutional context.