De begrafenisstoet van Frederik Hendrik (plaat nr. 10), 1647 1647 - 1651

Pieter Nolpe created this print in 1647, titled "The Funeral Procession of Frederik Hendrik," offering us a glimpse into the rituals surrounding power and identity in the Dutch Republic. This print captures a segment of the elaborate funeral procession for Prince Frederik Hendrik, a significant figure in Dutch history. What we see here are symbolic representations of his authority. Flags, helmets, shields, and even a horse, each attended by figures who are likely members of his court or military, displaying an ordered hierarchy and the trappings of power. Consider the emotional weight of such a display. Funerals are, after all, intensely personal moments of grief, yet royal funerals become grand spectacles of state. They underscore the transfer of power and the continuation of dynastic narratives. Nolpe’s print exists in that tension between personal loss and public performance. Does this image uphold traditional displays of power, or does it subtly hint at the human drama behind the pageantry?