Ruiterportret van Willem III, prins van Oranje 1670 - 1709

Pieter Stevens’s engraving presents William III, Prince of Orange, astride a rearing horse. The rearing horse is a motif with roots stretching back to antiquity, symbolizing power, dominance, and the triumph of man over nature. We find echoes of this image in classical equestrian statues, and later, in Renaissance portrayals of military leaders. Consider, for instance, the bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome; the raised horse is an assertion of imperial authority. Over time, this gesture evolves, appearing in slightly different forms, yet retains its core message of leadership and control. Psychologically, the rearing horse triggers primal associations of strength and virility, engaging viewers with its dynamic energy. The image has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts and continues to stir something within us.