Thirteen Figures, Mostly Supporters of Escutcheons, from the Top of a Balustrade and the Backrest of the Stadholder’s Chair in the Rolzaal in the Hof van Holland, The Hague 1511

These are the thirteen figures mostly supporters of escutcheons, from the top of a balustrade and the backrest of the Stadholder’s Chair in the Rolzaal in the Hof van Holland, The Hague, by Joost Janszoon. The series of oak figures share a vertical orientation that rises from cuboid bases, and the texture of their surface is marked by the strokes of the artist's carving. The variations of animal and human forms are united by their shared role as heraldic supporters. The composition invites a semiotic reading, where each figure acts as a signifier within a larger symbolic structure. The choice of figures, such as lions and monkeys, might allude to specific virtues, vices, or societal roles, reflecting the complex interplay of power and representation in the Hof van Holland. Janszoon's work serves not merely as decoration but as a sophisticated engagement with cultural and philosophical ideas. These figures challenge fixed meanings by inviting viewers to decode their symbolic content within the context of Dutch society, and in doing so, create ongoing interpretation.