His Majesty’s Arrival at Honselaarsdijk – Grand Procession Engraving c.1690
€ 670
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1690
Sheet size
34.3 × 45 cm (13.5 × 17.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13786-4
Condition
Good and complete impression. Some light general toning and minor foxing in the blank margins, typical for age. The image itself remains crisp with strong lines and detailed architectural renderings. Fold line as issued.
About this sheet
This impressive large-format antique engraving depicts the grand arrival procession of His Majesty at Honselaarsdijk Palace (Huis Honselaarsdijk), near The Hague in the Netherlands. Titled in Dutch and French within the cartouche ribbon at the top – "Aenkomst van S.M. in Honselaerdyk" and "Arrivée de S.M. à Honslaerdyk" – the print illustrates the ceremonial splendour of the late 17th-century Dutch court.
The scene captures the opulence of a royal visit, with a dense assembly of mounted guards, noblemen, courtiers, and footmen escorting an elaborately decorated carriage towards the entrance of Honselaarsdijk Palace. The baroque facade of the palace is richly detailed, featuring pilasters, balustrades, and sculpted ornaments. Crowds gather on the grand terrace and along the avenue lined with meticulously trimmed trees, while further in the background the formal gardens extend in classical geometric layout.
Honselaarsdijk Palace was originally built for Prince Frederick Henry of Orange and was considered one of the most magnificent palaces in the Dutch Republic, inspired by French baroque models such as Versailles. The engraving thus not only documents an important royal event but also preserves the architectural splendour of a palace that was largely demolished in the early 19th century.
Condition: Good and complete impression. Some light general toning and minor foxing in the blank margins, typical for age. The image itself remains crisp with strong lines and detailed architectural renderings. Fold line as issued.
Framing Tip: Due to its rich baroque detail and historical subject, this engraving would be best presented in an elegant gilt or ebonised frame with a neutral mount, allowing the architectural and ceremonial details to stand out prominently.
