Portret van Dirk V, graaf van Holland 1620

Adriaen Matham created this print of Dirk V, Count of Holland, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. Although Matham was working in the Dutch Golden Age, he here represents a much earlier period, specifically referencing the medieval era, when Dirk V ruled. This image is filled with references to a chivalric past, and the visual codes of power that went along with it. Dirk is shown in full armor, carrying a sword and shield emblazoned with a lion, a traditional symbol of strength and courage. The attire and props associated with this portrayal of the Count of Holland are telling, because Matham seems to be associating Dirk with the origins of the Dutch Republic, which was just solidifying itself during Matham's own lifetime. To understand this work better, we might research the history of Dutch nationalism and the ways in which historical figures like Dirk V were used to construct a sense of national identity. Ultimately, this work demonstrates that art always exists within a specific social and institutional context.