Portret van Willem I, prins van Oranje 1835

Curator: This is "Portret van Willem I, prins van Oranje," a print made in 1835 by Rombertus Julianus van Arum, housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first thought is stoic—perhaps even a bit stern. The lines are so precise, so controlled, it feels almost…foreboding. Is that just me? Curator: Not at all! The engraving style definitely lends itself to a certain gravitas. It echoes a period of immense political and religious upheaval. The piece is a fascinating encapsulation of leadership imagery of that era. Editor: That ruff collar... such a potent symbol, isn't it? A symbol of status, but also confinement, almost like a gilded cage for the head. And look at how meticulously it's rendered. I bet it represents status but, in psychology, these circles around the head tend to relate with anxiety. Curator: Precisely! And the way the artist has used cross-hatching to create depth and texture, especially in the fur coat... it's incredibly detailed. You can almost feel the weight of history in the folds. Editor: It really captures that Dutch Golden Age aesthetic too, doesn't it? The chiaroscuro effect adds to the drama, a real contrast of light and shadow. History painting and all that...but to me, also old engravings always reminds us how easy things would spread due the mechanisation in making multiple pieces...something about "Willem I" written underneath suggests how historical memory relies in spreading such imagery. Curator: And considering Willem of Orange’s legacy, it’s intriguing how van Arum chose to depict him almost…vulnerable. He doesn’t have the swagger of a conquering hero. Editor: Vulnerability, yes! But also, resolve. He embodies that idea of resilience through hardship, something the Dutch identity seems so tied to. I do see why sometimes simple things, printed as this one can do more when they create simple meanings with a grand goal... It’s really captivating, in its own quietly powerful way. Curator: Absolutely. It's a portrait not just of a man, but of an idea. Thank you. Editor: A symbol in print, easy to grasp and easy to be distributed. That is what make the icon an idea! Thanks for showing this fascinating image.