William I, Prince of Orange, Lying in State by Hendrick de (I) Keyser

William I, Prince of Orange, Lying in State 1613 - 1614

sculpture

charcoal drawing

sculptural image

unrealistic statue

stoneware

sculpting

underpainting

charcoal

watercolor

statue

"William I, Prince of Orange, Lying in State" is a terracotta sculpture by Hendrick de Keyser, created between 1613 and 1614. This intricate artwork depicts the Prince of Orange lying in state, a traditional practice for honoring deceased figures of high status. The sculpture captures the solemnity of the occasion with detailed rendering of the prince's features, his clothing, and the surrounding funerary setting, displaying Keyser's mastery of realism and his contribution to the Dutch Renaissance. The work is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, a prominent museum dedicated to showcasing Dutch art and history.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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This terracotta is the model for the life-size marble statue that is the focal point of the tomb of William of Orange in the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft. William was assassinated in 1584. The dead prince is portrayed in a surprisingly informal fashion: he wears a fur-lined tabard and a nightcap, a favourite garb for scholars in their study. He seems to be lying down for just a moment to rest.