The print features five rulers standing in a row, dressed in highly detailed Renaissance armor and ornate costumes with plumed hats. Each figure strikes a distinct, theatrical pose, holding symbols of authority like swords or scepters. Below the figures are columns of Dutch text providing biographical details and historical accounts of their reigns and deaths.
This work is a product of the Haarlem Mannerists, a circle led by Hendrick Goltzius and Karel van Mander who were deeply influenced by Neoplatonic theories of art and the 'idea' in the artist's mind. While the subject is genealogical, the series represents the high level of technical mastery and stylistic artifice used by Northern engravers who also produced many of the era's most important alchemical and Hermetic illustrations.
Dirk II, Count of HollandArnulf, Count of HollandDirk IV, Count of HollandDirk V, Count of HollandFloris II, Count of Hollandlion rampant (coat of arms of Holland)scepterhalberd61B1146C131
Diderick ij.
t'Iaer 903. Grave. reg. 85. Iaer.
Ick der Landen Erfgenaem en Successur voorvaer,
Heb vervvonnen de Vriesen met tvvee strijden fvvaer,
Sy hadden t'Egmondt mijns Vaders graf geslecht ter neer,
En t'Nonnen Clooster en Kerc vervvoest aldaer,
...
Arnoudt iij.
t'Iaer 988. Grave. reg. 5. iaer.
ARnoud Didericx Soon, die derde Grave van Hollant,
Troude des Griecks Keysers Dochter triumphant,
Die hem baerde tvvee Soonen edel van aert,
d'Oudtse ghenaemt Diderick een Prince vailiant,
...
Diderick iiij.
t'Iaer 993. Grave. reg. 46. Iaer.
DIdierick die derde dier naem Arnouds Soon,
VVierde de vierde Grave in Hollandt verheven,
Hy trouvvde des Hartochs van Saxen dochter fchoon,
VVichtel ghenaemt, daer hy by creech tvvee Sonen fchoon.
...
Diderick v.
t'Iaer 1039. Grave. reg. 9. Iaer.
DIdierick neghen Iaren als rechte Grave Hollandt besat,
VVijf noch Kinderen creech daer, oyt ick fegu dat,
Soo haeft uyt Dordrecht fijn vyant hadt verdreven hy
Ging des morghens spaceren om hem te vercoelen vvat
...
Floris vj.
t'Iaer 1048. Grave. reg. 14. Iaeren.
GRaef Diderick over-leden zijnde ras,
Sonder Kinderen te hebben, vverde vercooren,
Eendrachtelijck tot een Grave op't selve pas,
Floris fijn broeder, vviens Huyfvrouvve vvas,
Geertruyt een dochter van Saxen gheboren.
Translation
Diderick II.
The year 903. Count. reigned 85 years.
I, the lands’ heir and successor indeed,
Have defeated the Frisians in two heavy battles,
They had razed my father’s grave at Egmond to the ground,
And devastated the Nuns' Cloister and Church there,
...
Arnoud III.
The year 988. Count. reigned 5 years.
Arnoud, Diderick’s son, the third Count of Holland,
Married the Greek Emperor’s triumphant daughter,
Who bore him two sons noble of nature,
The eldest named Diderick, a valiant Prince,
...
Diderick IV.
The year 993. Count. reigned 46 years.
Diderick, the third of that name, Arnoud’s son,
Became the fourth Count exalted in Holland,
He married the Duke of Saxony’s beautiful daughter,
Named Wichtel, with whom he had two handsome sons.
...
Diderick V.
The year 1039. Count. reigned 9 years.
Diderick held Holland as rightful Count for nine years,
He had neither wife nor children there, that I ever say,
As soon as he had driven his enemy out of Dordrecht,
He went walking in the morning to cool himself a bit,
...
Floris VI.
The year 1048. Count. reigned 14 years.
Count Diderick having passed away quickly,
Without having children, was chosen,
Unanimously as Count at that same moment,
Floris his brother, whose wife was,
Geertruyt, a daughter born of Saxony.
Connected Texts
Karel van Mander
Van Mander was the theorist of the Haarlem circle and Goltzius's contemporary, whose 'Schilder-boeck' outlines the philosophical underpinnings of this style.
