Willem V neemt zitting in de Admiraliteit, 1768 1772

Reinier Vinkeles created this engraving in 1768, depicting Willem V taking his seat in the Admiralty. This work offers a glimpse into the gendered and classed dimensions of 18th-century Dutch governance. Notice how the composition centers on Willem V, surrounded by men of power and influence. As the Stadtholder, Willem V represented a continuation of dynastic power at a time when the Dutch Republic was facing internal divisions and external pressures. The Admiralty itself was a site of immense economic and political significance, managing the Dutch fleet and overseeing trade routes that stretched across the globe. Yet, the presence of only men in this space speaks volumes about the exclusion of women from formal positions of authority. The work also prompts us to consider the perspectives of those whose labor and lives were impacted by the decisions made within these halls; the enslaved, the colonized, and the working classes. Ultimately, this print serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in representations of power.