Graeff, Andries De
† 30-11-1678

Initials A.
First name Andries
Prefixes DE
Last name GRAEFF
Last reported address In de "bocht" van de Heerengracht, nu nr 466.
Burial notes /05-12-1678 o./b.
Biography Doopkapel nr. 1
Andries de Graeff was a regent, a member of the city council, and a seven times elected
mayor of Amsterdam. The De Graeffs were a powerful family of regents who belonged to the
Republican party and formed a strong opposition against the royalists (the supporters of the
Orange dynasty). His family played a leading role in the Amsterdam administration between
the 1650s and 1670s, when the city reached its economic and political zenith. This was also
the period in which the Dutch provinces were not governed by the ‘stadhouder’, the single
person associated with the house of Orange but instead enjoyed sovereignty.

Andries de Graeff was not only a prominent alderman but also an illustrious patron and art
collector. In his life, he surrounded himself with such artists and poets as Rembrandt van
Rijn (who painted his portrait), Govaert Flinck, Artus Quellinus and Joost van den Vondel
(who wrote a book about the de Graeff family). His residence at Herengracht 446 housed a
large collection of art works with pieces like Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph by
Rembrandt. Interestingly, art was also a political tool in de Graeff’s hand. His palace was
decorated with pieces painted by Gerard de Lairesse which represented the family as the
mighty protectors of (republican) freedom in the state - an obvious statement that rejects the
Oranian rule. Moreover, de Graeff also managed diplomatic relations with England by means
of art. He presented a large collection of Italian Renaissance paintings and classical
sculptures to King Charles II to mark his return into power.

With all the commissions and patronages, art in the Golden Age was deeply intertwined in
political and diplomatic relations.

Sources

  1. RKDimages (Image)
  2. RKDimages (Image)
  3. RKDimages (Image)
  4. RKDimages (Image)
  5. RKDimages (Image)
  6. RKDimages (Image)
  7. RKDimages (Image)
  8. RKDimages (Image)

Buried beneath this stone

Baptismal Chapel

Identifiers for references

Oude kerk OA id 4050
Oude kerk Adlib Person priref 3734
RKDimages https://rkd.nl/images/165117


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