Portret van Willem II, koning der Nederlanden 1831

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this portrait of Willem II, King of the Netherlands, using lithography. Consider the weight of inherited power, the expectations, and the very image one must project. Last’s portrait presents us with Willem II, adorned in military regalia, a symbol of authority and strength. Yet, there's a discernible effort in the king’s posture, an almost staged composure that speaks to the performance of power. The very act of sitting for a portrait like this was a carefully orchestrated event, designed to reinforce the monarchy's image. How do such portraits shape our understanding of leadership? And how do they reflect the complex interplay between personal identity and public persona, especially within the confines of royal expectation? Take a moment to consider what it must feel like to always have to perform your identity for the public eye.