Portret van Jan I, graaf van Holland 1745

Hendrik Spilman created this print, "Portret van Jan I, graaf van Holland," in the 18th century. Spilman was working in an era defined by the Enlightenment, a time of reason, individualism, and skepticism. Yet, paradoxically, there was a taste for the chivalric past, a way to ennoble and give historical precedent to the present. This portrait, part of a series of rulers, represents Jan the First, Count of Holland who lived in the late 13th century. Jan's androgynous appearance speaks to the ways in which masculinity could be performed. Positioned in a full-length pose, Jan I presents himself with the tools of nobility: the fine fabrics, a feathered cap, and of course the sword that he firmly grips. Ultimately, Spilman's strategic depiction contributes to the ongoing construction of Dutch identity, weaving together threads of history, power, and cultural memory. It prompts us to consider the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and where we come from.