Prince William I after the failed Assassination Attempt by Jean Jaurequi in 1582, Nursed by Charlotte de Bourbon

Executed in oil on canvas, Pieneman employs a muted palette to convey the somber atmosphere. Detailed rendering of textiles, gilded vessels, and sculptural elements creates a richly textured interior, while careful lighting draws focus to the central figures and heightens the emotional tension of the scene.

Created in the mid‑19th century, the painting reflects a 19th‑century Dutch interest in national history. It entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains displayed as part of the museum’s narrative‑history collection, illustrating the legacy of William the Silent’s leadership.

The depicted event follows the 1582 plot by Jean Jaurequi, an attempt on William’s life that failed but left him seriously injured. Charlotte de Bourbon, his sister‑in‑law, historically tended to him during his recovery, a moment Pieneman chose to memorialize as a symbol of familial solidarity in the Dutch Revolt.