Portret van Willem III de Goede, graaf van Holland en Henegouwen 1620

This is Adriaen Matham’s, Portrait of Willem III the Good, made as an engraving. Notice how the lines define every aspect of the image, from the intricacies of Willem's patterned robe to the texture of the fur trim. The formal structure here is paramount. Willem III stands in three-quarter profile, his figure a study in contrasts. The dark, dense lines of his cloak and headwear are juxtaposed against the lighter, more open areas of the background. The composition divides the figure into distinct sections, each delineated by shifts in texture and tone. The shield on his chest and the sword at his side form strong verticals, anchoring the composition, while his outstretched arm creates a dynamic diagonal. Matham seems less interested in capturing a likeness than in constructing an image of authority and status, using line and form to create a powerful visual statement. The engraving invites us to consider how images function as cultural symbols, their meanings constructed through formal elements and historical context.