Portret van keizer Adolf VII van Nassau, in ovaal, naar rechts 1785

Aert Schouman created this portrait of Emperor Adolf VII van Nassau in the 18th century using pen in gray on paper. Schouman lived during a time of shifting social structures, as the Dutch Republic was transforming from a mercantile power to facing internal political struggles. Notice how Adolf is framed within an oval, a formal design that speaks to a certain level of idealization and authority. But consider, too, the cultural narratives around leadership. What does it mean to portray a leader who died in 1298 so many years later? The very act of memorializing Adolf is a political statement, reinforcing a sense of historical continuity and legitimacy. This portrait invites us to reflect on the narratives we construct around power, and how these narratives shape our understanding of identity, history, and the legacies we inherit.