Artwork

Entry of Marie de Medici into Amsterdam [plate 2 of 6]

Entry of Marie de Medici into Amsterdam [plate 2 of 6], by Pieter Nolpe, ink, 1638
Entry of Marie de Medici into Amsterdam [plate 2 of 6], by Pieter Nolpe, ink, 1638

Entry of Marie de Medici into Amsterdam [plate 2 of 6] is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pieter Nolpe. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1638 etching by Pieter Nolpe depicts a scene from the Entry of Marie de Medici into Amsterdam, part of a six-plate series commemorating the royal visit.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a procession of horseback riders, including dignitaries in ornate attire and children, crossing a shallow river, with ships and a serene landscape in the background, capturing a moment of ceremonial pageantry.

Technique & Style

Nolpe employed fine etching lines to convey dynamic movement and intricate details, evident in the textured hats, horse strides, and rippled water, achieving a balance of clarity and subtle suggestion.

History & Provenance

Created in 1638 as the second plate in a series of six, the etching is a contemporary record of Marie de Medici's visit to Amsterdam, though specific provenance details are not provided here.

Context

The work reflects the artistic and political climate of 17th-century Amsterdam, where such ceremonial events were both celebrated and documented through detailed, distributable prints like etchings.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Pieter Nolpe

Artist

Pieter Nolpe

Pieter Nolpe (1638–1638) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.