Portret van koning Willem III van Nederland before 1885

This is a portrait of King William III of the Netherlands, though its maker is unknown and its exact date is uncertain. Such portraits were vital tools for monarchs in the 19th century, a period of immense social change. Note how the image creates meaning through visual codes: William is decked out in military regalia, and this projects an image of strength and authority. The Netherlands in William's time was a constitutional monarchy, and like other rulers of the period, William was walking a tightrope, attempting to reconcile the traditions of monarchy with the demands of an increasingly democratic society. This image helped to shore up traditional authority. Historians can research archives, newspapers and political pamphlets for better understanding. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.