Portret van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden 1815 - 1846

This is Henri Van der Haert's portrait of Willem I Frederik, King of the Netherlands, created sometime before 1846. The print presents us with Willem I, a man whose reign was shaped by the tumultuous years following the Napoleonic era, and the establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Note the details of his military attire, which speaks volumes about the construction of power and identity at the time. Willem I wears a uniform adorned with symbols of authority, reinforcing a narrative of strength and leadership. Yet, this carefully constructed image also invites us to consider the weight of expectation. How does Willem I negotiate his identity against a backdrop of shifting political landscapes, and what does his portrayal reveal about the relationship between the individual and the state? This portrait serves not only as a record of a king, but also as a mirror reflecting the complex dynamics of power, identity, and representation during a pivotal era in European history.