De begrafenisstoet van Frederik Hendrik, plaat nr. 19 1651

This print by Pieter Nolpe depicts the funeral procession of Frederik Hendrik, made in the Netherlands at an unknown date. It shows the banners and heraldry of the House of Orange, as borne by various members of the court. The image creates meaning through its display of visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Consider the social and political context of the Dutch Republic at this time. Hendrik was a Stadtholder, a position with near-monarchical powers, in a state that officially had no monarch. The imagery of banners and heraldry is a clear demonstration of political power, and designed to assert authority. The print is, itself, part of that assertion of authority. What can we learn from this image about the cultural and institutional forces that shape our understanding of power? Historians can learn more by examining the print in relation to other images, archival documents, and accounts of the funeral. By looking at the broader context, we can better understand the meaning of this artwork and its role in shaping the politics of imagery.