Portret van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden 1849 - 1868

This is a portrait of Willem III, King of the Netherlands, made by Carl Mayer. It's an engraving, a printmaking technique where an image is incised into a plate, and then used to make impressions on paper. Think about the labor involved: the artist meticulously carving lines into a metal plate. The fineness of the lines determine the shading and detail and capture the likeness of the king. This isn't just a quick sketch; it's a carefully constructed image, designed for reproduction. Engravings like this were a key part of visual culture. They allowed images to be disseminated widely and cheaply, and the rise of print culture is tied to the growth of democracy. This print brings into question the power of image-making and its relationship to social structures. By focusing on its material and mode of production, we can appreciate the full significance of this portrait, and see the ways in which art and craft intersect with wider social and political issues.