Political career Andries de Graeff

andries de graeff in 1639, painted rembrandt van rijn


the dutch gift

in 1660 dutch gift organized regents, andries , brother cornelis. sculptures gift selected pre-eminent sculptor in netherlands, artus quellinus, , gerrit van uylenburgh, son of rembrandt s dealer hendrick van uylenburgh, advised states-general on purchase. dutch gift collection of 28 italian renaissance paintings , 12 classical sculptures, along yacht, mary, , furniture, presented king charles ii of england states-general of netherlands in 1660.

most of paintings , roman sculptures reynst collection, important seventeenth-century dutch collection of paintings of italian sixteenth century, formed in venice jan reynst (1601–1646) , extended brother, gerrit reynst (1599–1658).

the collection given charles ii mark return power in english restoration, before charles had spent many years in exile in dutch republic during rule of english commonwealth. intended strengthen diplomatic relations between england , republic, few years after gift 2 nations @ war again in second anglo-dutch war of 1665–67.

perpetual edict (1667) , rampjaar 1672

palace op de dam - seat of amsterdam regent, gerrit berckheyde

in 1667 de graeff 1 of sponsors (the other signers de witt, gillis valckenier , gaspar fagel) of perpetual edict, resolution of states of holland in abolished office of stadtholder in province of holland. @ approximately same time majority of provinces in states-general of netherlands agreed declare office of stadtholder (in of provinces) incompatible office of captain general of dutch republic.

the republic in dangerous position , war france , england seemed imminent. call return of strong military leader orange family gaining momentum, particularly among commoners. number of amsterdam regents had started realise needed seek rapprochement orangists. put increasing pressure on grand pensionary johan de witts position. in 1670, amsterdamse vroedschap (amsterdam city council) led mayors valckenier , coenraad van beuningen decided enter alliance orangists , offer young prince william iii of orange seat on council of state. caused definitive split between de witt , orangist amsterdam group of regents around mayor valckenier. however, de witt managed push turncoats amsterdam city administration , sidelined during vroedschap elections of february 1671.

andries de graeff once again put forward mayor , managed gain control republican faction. during winter of 1671 seemed if – @ least in amsterdam – republicans winning. exceptionally opportune moment commission monumental ceiling painting on amsterdam’s independent position ‘sael’ of mayor’s residence. de graeff had clear message in mind ceiling painting: ‘ware vrijheid’ of republic protected republican regents of amsterdam. paintings gerard de lairesse glorify de graeff family’s role protector of republican state, defender of ‘freedom’. work of art can viewed visual statement opposing return of house of orange.

in 1672, when orangists took power again, de graeff lost position 1 of key states party figure nephews pieter , jacob de graeff , brother-in-law lambert reynst. in year, de graeff attacked amsterdam mob crowd @ haarlemmerpoort.

andries de graeffs city palace in gouden bocht, herengracht 446



coat of arms knights of holy roman empire



coat of arms family de graeff