Zyne Koninklyke Hoogheid Willem Prins van Oranje in den roemrijken veldslag van Waterloo, op den 18den Junij 1815, gewond op het oogenblik der overwinning / Son Altesse Royale Guillaume Prince d'Orange (...) 1817

Willem van Senus created this print depicting Prince Willem of Orange at the Battle of Waterloo, around 1815. The composition is immediately striking with its dynamic arrangement of figures. Senus uses pale hues to set a dramatic, yet distant war scene, where the Prince is centered on horseback amidst the chaos. The artist’s choice of color affects the mood, evoking a sense of tension and historical weight. Figures in the foreground, both upright and fallen, create a powerful contrast between victory and sacrifice. The use of line, color, and spatial arrangement doesn’t merely document an event, but invites a semiotic reading. The injured prince, supported by his comrades, becomes a symbol of resilience and leadership, while the fallen soldiers could signify the cost of such virtues. Ultimately, Senus uses the formal elements to construct a historical narrative open to interpretation. It's a representation of war, leadership, and sacrifice that continues to resonate.