Floris II from the series Counts and Countesses of Holland, Zeeland, and West-Frisia
Medium
Engraving and etching; second state of three
Dimensions
sheet: 20 7/16 x 15 1/16 in. (51.9 x 38.3 cm) plate: 15 13/16 x 11 9/16 in. (40.2 x 29.4 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Hugo Elliot, 1941
Accession Number
41.101.2(12)
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *Floris II from the series Counts and Count of Holland, Zeeland and West-Frisia*, striking 1650 engraving and etching produced collaboratively by Dutch artists Pieter Soutman, Corn Visscher, and scholar Petrus Scriverius This second state of three captures the medieval count in a dignified portrait, complete with his coat of arms, evoking the grandeur of Holland's ruling lineage during the Dutch Golden Age. Part of a prestigious series honoring regional nobility, it reflects 17th-century fascination with national heritage amid rising Dutch prosperity. The intricate technique of engraving and etching allowed for fine details in the figure's attire, armor, and heraldic symbols, showcasing the precision of Soutman and Visscher, who were masters of reproductive printmaking. Scriverius likely contributed textual elements, blending art with historical scholarship. Measuring about 16 x 12 inches on the plate, these prints were designed for collectors, disseminating elite portraits to a wider audience. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Mrs. Hugo Elliot, 1941), this work underscores prints' role in preserving cultural memory, bridging medieval history with Baroque-era artistry for enduring inspiration.
About the Artist
Pieter Soutman|Cornelis Visscher|Petrus Scriverius (Dutch|Dutch) · 1580 |1628 –1657 |1658
Dutch, Haarlem, ca. 1580–1657 Haarlem|Dutch, Haarlem (?) 1628/29–1658 Amsterdam