Ruiterportret van Alexander I, prins der Nederlanden 1835 - 1880

Franciscus Bernardus Waanders made this print of Alexander I, Prince of the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-19th century. It's a lithograph, a relatively new medium at the time, which allowed for the wider distribution of images, in this case, of a member of the Dutch royal family. The image presents a carefully constructed vision of monarchy. Alexander is depicted on horseback, a classic trope for portraying power and authority. The horse itself is dynamic, caught mid-gallop, suggesting energy and forward momentum. The landscape is vague, almost theatrical, serving as a backdrop for the central figure. Consider the context: the Netherlands in the 19th century was navigating its identity after the Napoleonic era. Images like these helped to solidify the image of the monarchy and its place in the national consciousness. By examining prints like this, alongside other cultural and political documents, we can understand the role art played in shaping national identity and reinforcing social hierarchies. Art is never created in a vacuum, and its meaning is always contingent on its historical context.