De Graeff

De Graeff (Dutch pronunciation: [də ˈɣraːf]; also: De Graef, Graef, Graeff, Graaff, Graaf and De Graeff van Polsbroek) is a Dutch noble family. The family divided into different lines, in Holland, Prussia (Germany) and South Africa including the patrician-aristocratic line of regents at Amsterdam. This line played a role during the Dutch Golden Age and were part of the Amsterdam and Holland public life and oligarchy from 1578 until 1672. They were a part of the Dutch States Party and therefore opponents of monarchist ambitions of the House of Orange. During that time, members of the De Graeff family were also patrons of art and artists, such as Rembrandt, Govaert Flinck, Gerard ter Borch, Jacob van Ruisdael, Caspar Netscher, Gerard de Lairesse, Artus Quellinus and Joost van den Vondel. In 1677 members of the Amsterdam line were made knights of the Holy Roman Empire. Since 1885 the new founded Den Haag-line has been part of the Dutch nobility with the honorific of jonkheer.