Portret van Jan I, graaf van Holland - Cornelis Visscher (II)

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Cornelis Visscher (II) depicting John I, Count of Holland, within a formalised oval frame.

This engraving by Cornelis Visscher (II) depicts John I, Count of Holland, presented within a formal oval frame. Visscher, a Dutch engraver active during the mid-seventeenth century, demonstrates his technical proficiency through the precise handling of line and shadow. The portrait captures the subject in a three-quarter view, wearing a plumed hat and period-appropriate attire. The composition is structured as a commemorative print, typical of historical portraiture of the era.

The central oval is set against a rectangular background featuring decorative corner motifs. Below the portrait, a cartouche contains Latin text, providing historical context regarding the subject, while a coat of arms sits at the base. The surrounding text blocks offer further biographical details, framing the image as a scholarly record of the Count of Holland. Visscher employs a variety of hatching techniques to define the textures of the fabric, the softness of the hair, and the metallic sheen of the decorative elements. The contrast between the dark, dense lines of the shadows and the lighter areas of the paper creates a sense of volume and depth.

As a practitioner of the Dutch Golden Age, Visscher was known for his ability to translate the nuances of painting into the medium of print. This work reflects the period's interest in historical documentation and the formalised presentation of nobility. The print serves as a clear example of the high standards of Dutch engraving, where clarity of line and balanced composition were prioritised. The inclusion of heraldic symbols and Latin inscriptions indicates that this piece was intended for a learned audience, likely circulating among collectors of historical portraits or those interested in the lineage of the Dutch nobility. The work remains a fine example of seventeenth-century graphic art, demonstrating the technical rigour applied to portraiture during this period.