Portret van Willem II, prins van Oranje c. 1632 - 1644

Crispijn van den Queborn created this engraving of Willem II, Prince of Orange, sometime in the 17th century. The portrait presents the young prince, who was born in 1626, in a way that reflects the political and social expectations placed upon him. Made in the Dutch Republic, this image is a carefully constructed piece of political communication. The Latin inscription emphasizes Willem's lineage and destiny as a leader, whilst the armour visually associates him with military strength and princely authority. It would have been part of a broader effort to cultivate a specific image of the Dutch ruling family, in this case, the House of Orange-Nassau. To fully understand this image, we have to situate it within the context of Dutch history, exploring, for example, the role of the Oranges in the young Republic's struggle for independence. Researching the printmaking industry of the time, would provide additional insights into the original function and target audience of this portrait.