Portret van Lodewijk Napoleon, koning van Holland 1808

This print by George Kockers portrays Louis Napoleon, King of Holland. His profile is framed by symbols of power and nationhood. The image reveals the visual language of early 19th-century European monarchy. Louis was installed as King of Holland by his brother, Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, in 1806. This print served to visually cement that new political reality. Note the Dutch lion and heraldic shield placed beneath Louis' portrait. The symbols speak to the new nation's desire for unity. The text at the bottom reads 'Unity makes strength' in Dutch. Note also how the portrait is framed by military weaponry and flags, visual reminders of French power. Historical sources, such as pamphlets, newspapers, and official records, can help us understand the complex politics of the time. What did the Dutch really think about their new king? How did artists like Kockers respond to this shift in power? The meaning of art is always linked to its social and institutional context.