Standbeeld van Willem I, prins van Oranje, op het Plein te Den Haag 1848 - 1899

This print depicts the statue of William I, Prince of Orange, in The Hague. Dominating the scene, the statue stands as a potent symbol of national identity and leadership. The figure of William, elevated on a pedestal, embodies the ideals of strength and vigilance that define the collective memory of the Dutch nation. Consider the gesture of his hand, which, in its emphatic stillness, evokes the Roman ideal of the orator, conveying a message of leadership. This classical motif resurfaces through time and space, from ancient Roman sculptures to modern-day monuments. In each iteration, the gesture carries a nuanced echo of authority, a silent yet powerful engagement with viewers on a subconscious level. Notice, the cyclical progression of this symbol: the stoic leader, his hand raised in perpetual guidance, an icon that has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings throughout history.