Willem Frederik, prins van Oranje-Nassau, souverein vorst 1813

This small, anonymous badge depicts Willem Frederik, Prince of Orange-Nassau. Framed in an oval, he is presented in profile, a style reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture, intended to evoke authority and nobility. The profile, a motif tracing back to antiquity, reappears throughout history in coins, medals, and portraits of rulers. It is a conscious reference to the enduring power of classical empires and the desire to connect with that legacy. It also represents the concept of idealized leadership; by immortalizing leaders in profile, we see how collective memory and subconscious processes affect the interpretation of a leader’s image. The very act of framing a portrait speaks to a deeper psychological need to contain and control the representation of power. The oval shape itself, often associated with wholeness and continuity, suggests a desire for lasting legacy. The cyclical progression of this symbol of power has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings across different historical contexts.