De begrafenisstoet van Frederik Hendrik, plaat nr. 05 1651

Pieter Nolpe created this print of Frederik Hendrik’s funeral procession with etching techniques. The print presents a somber scene, dominated by a horizontal procession of figures cloaked in uniform dark attire against a muted backdrop. The composition is regimented, emphasizing order and solemnity. Nolpe uses line and form to create a sense of depth, though the overall flatness flattens individual expression, reinforcing a collective identity. Above the figures, the fragmented words "O M E S T I" are spread across the top, these letters punctuate the visual field, acting as signifiers. The print’s structural organization, with its clear demarcation of space and figures, reflects the societal hierarchies and formal rituals associated with death. Consider how the print captures the mood and the cultural codes of mourning in the 17th century through its precise arrangement of form and symbol. Nolpe offers a glimpse into how order, representation, and authority are constructed and conveyed through visual culture.