The Funeral Procession of Count Ernst Casimir, Stadtholder of Friesland and Groningen, that took place in Leeuwarden on January 3, 1633

Art Historical Context

In the heart of the Dutch Golden Age this opulent book commemorates the grand funeral procession of Count Ernstimir, Stadtholder of Friesland Groningen, held in Leeuwarden on January 3, 1633. Published just a year later in 1634, it a pivotal moment of mourning for a key military and political figure in the Dutch Republic, amid ongoing struggles against Spanish rule. Such elaborate processions underscored the power and piety of the nobility, blending solemn ritual with displays of status. Collaboratively crafted by artists Jan Herman, Jelle Reijners, and Claude Fonteyne, the volume features twenty double-page etching and engraving plates—masterful techniques that allowed for intricate detail and reproducibility—paired with three double pages of letterpress text. Bound in mottled calf with gilt paneling, a central star motif, and vibrant turquoise and black morocco inlays, its luxurious 8 11/16 x 10 15/16-inch format reflects the era's fine bookmaking artistry, making it both a visual chronicle and a collector's treasure. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this rare work offers a window into 17th-century Dutch society, where print media preserved history for posterity. Visitors will appreciate its vivid depiction of male figures in ceremonial attire, evoking the pomp and transience of noble life.

About the Artist

Jan Herman|Jelle Reijners|Claude Fonteyne (Dutch|Dutch|Dutch) · 1600 |1600 |1594 –1650 |1654 |1654

active Rome 1623–25; Leeuwarden 1634|Dutch, active Harlingen, 1600/1620–1634/54|Dutch, Paris 1594–1654 Leeuwarden