Wapen van Willem IV, prins van Oranje-Nassau 1733 - 1769

This is an engraving of the coat of arms of William IV, Prince of Orange-Nassau, made by Noach van der Meer in the Netherlands. Looking at this image, we might consider how heraldry functions as a visual language, used here to communicate power and legitimacy in a very particular social and political context. This imagery is a product of its time, reflecting the hierarchical structures of 18th-century Dutch society. The presence of the Dutch language motto "Je Maintiendrai" meaning "I will maintain" is a key part of how it communicates these values. As art historians, we have to ask questions about the image’s original function and audience. Was it commissioned for a specific event or institution? What did it mean to the people who saw it? The answers lie in archival research, in libraries and historical societies where records of the past are preserved. By studying these sources, we can gain a richer understanding of the social and institutional forces that shaped this artwork.