Pair of pistols and a bullet associated with the death of William Frederick of Nassau, Stadtholder of Friesland c. 1650
anonymous
rijksmuseum
metal, photography
portrait
baroque
metal
photography
history-painting
This artwork consists of a pair of pistols and a bullet associated with the death of William Frederick of Nassau, Stadtholder of Friesland, in 1650. It is a historical artifact housed in the Rijksmuseum, a testament to a tragic event in Dutch history. The piece is an example of material culture, where objects hold historical significance and offer insight into the past. This specific artifact serves as a reminder of a pivotal moment in Dutch history and the impact of a tragic event.
Comments
When Stadtholder William Frederick inspected one of these pistols on 24 October 1664, the weapon accidentally fired, fatally wounding him in the face. The bullet displayed here was found in the other pistol. Although these objects do not tell a very heroic tale, they were nevertheless accorded a place in the collection of the Frisian stadtholders.
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