Onderhoud met de prinses te Goejanverwellesluis, 1787 1795

Jacobus Buys created this pen and gray ink drawing in 1787, depicting a pivotal moment in Dutch history. It portrays Princess Wilhelmina of Prussia detained by Patriot militia in Goejanverwellesluis. At this time, the Dutch Republic was fractured by political tensions between the Orangists, who supported the Stadtholder, and the Patriots, who sought democratic reforms. Wilhelmina's attempt to travel to The Hague to rally Orangist support was perceived as a provocation by the Patriots, leading to her detainment. Buys captures the tense encounter; Wilhelmina sits surrounded by Patriot officials. The drawing underscores the gendered dimensions of power, with Wilhelmina, despite her royal status, rendered vulnerable by the Patriot's assertion of authority. It's a stark image of a woman whose lineage couldn't protect her from the era’s political upheaval. Ultimately, this event led to Prussian intervention and the restoration of Orangist rule, illustrating how personal confrontations can trigger broader political and social transformations. It serves as a potent reminder of the fragility of power and the ever-present tensions between authority and resistance.