Bourse, Pontus de Noyelles, Lord of; Liedekercke, Jean de Redeghem or Hanaert, Baron; Rouck, Willem de, Baron - Johannes Wierix

A 1579 engraving by Johannes Wierix depicting three noblemen as heroic figures, framed by military iconography and heraldic elements.

This engraving by Johannes Wierix, dated 1579, depicts three figures: Pontus de Noyelles, Lord of Bourse; Jean de Liedekercke, Baron of Redeghem; and Willem de Rouck, Baron. The composition is structured as a classical monument, with the three men presented as busts atop pedestals. Each figure wears the ruff collar characteristic of the late sixteenth-century Low Countries. Behind them, a collection of military equipment, including pikes, swords, and flags, suggests their roles as defenders or political figures during a period of conflict.

The upper section features heraldic shields and putti, framing the central figures within an architectural framework. Below the busts, a cartouche contains a French inscription that compares these three men to the Horatii, the legendary Roman triplets who fought to defend their city. This classical allusion serves to elevate the status of the subjects, framing their political or military actions within a heroic narrative. The work is signed by Wierix and includes the location 'Anverpiam' (Antwerp), reflecting the city's status as a centre for print production during the Renaissance.

Wierix demonstrates technical precision in his handling of the burin. The cross-hatching and fine lines create a sense of volume in the armour and the facial features of the sitters. The inclusion of the Latin text and the specific heraldry provides a clear identification of the individuals, linking the print to the political climate of the Netherlands during the Eighty Years' War. The work functions as both a commemorative portrait and a piece of political propaganda, using classical iconography to legitimise the authority and sacrifice of the depicted noblemen.