Portret van Willem III, prins van Oranje 1688 - 1711

Editor: So, here we have a print, an engraving of Willem III, Prince of Orange, dating from somewhere between 1688 and 1711, by Pieter Schenk. It feels very… formal. Stiff, almost. He's giving us his best serious look. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, Willem! Or William, depending on your allegiances. For me, this portrait whispers of power, of a man caught between worlds. That piercing gaze… does it strike you as confident, or perhaps a touch burdened by the weight of kingship? Think of the era – the late 17th, early 18th century – Europe in turmoil. Editor: Burdened, definitely. It’s in the set of his jaw, maybe? All that glorious fabric and feathers can’t hide it. So, turmoil… beyond just wars, what was Schenk trying to convey? Curator: Schenk isn't just painting a face; he's crafting an image, a political statement. William, a Dutchman who became King of England, Scotland, and Ireland – quite the achievement! Consider the Latin inscription at the top: "Cedunt Iovis Omnia Regno". Roughly translates to "Jove yields all to your reign". A statement to France? The portrait immortalizes not just his face, but his perceived strength as a ruler, protector of Protestant Europe. Editor: So, the pomp is propaganda! That puts it in a completely different light. It's like the 17th-century version of airbrushing, really. Curator: Precisely! Every detail is carefully chosen, reinforcing the aura of a divinely appointed king. What seems 'stiff' is, in essence, calculated grandeur. I would have like to have been in the studio... I think? Editor: Okay, now I see so much more! From dull historical portrait to carefully crafted political statement. That initial impression really does blind you sometimes.