De graav van Hoorn / De graav van Egmond 1787 - 1822

Jan Hendrik de Lange created this print of the Counts of Hoorn and Egmond. The work, executed sometime before 1822, presents a formal arrangement of two figures, each framed by heraldic symbols and theatrical drapery. The composition, divided vertically, balances the figures, yet subtly distinguishes them through posture and attire. De Lange’s use of line is particularly striking; it defines the contours of the figures and their elaborate costumes, creating a textured surface that emphasizes the materiality of the print. The cross-hatching and stippling generate a sense of depth, contrasting with the flat, patterned ground that supports the figures. This formal structure invites us to consider the binary oppositions at play: Hoorn versus Egmond, formality versus theatricality, and the graphic versus the representational. The semiotic elements—heraldry, costume, and setting—function as signs, encoding the status and identity of the depicted nobles. These signs engage with broader cultural codes of power, representation, and historical memory. The print serves not merely as a depiction, but as a carefully constructed arrangement of symbols that reflect and reinforce societal values.