Buste van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden, in de Sint-Bavokerk te Haarlem 1825 - 1896

Hubert Willem Plaatzer van den Hull created this print of the bust of Willem I Frederik in the Sint-Bavokerk in Haarlem. Here, we see the bust of King Willem I enshrined within a church, a setting that once housed sacred relics and symbols. Now, a leader is enshrined in the way saints and martyrs once were. Consider the visual language employed: the bust, a classical form, evokes images of Roman emperors. This visual motif, linking rulers to the grandeur of antiquity, has reappeared throughout history from antiquity to the Renaissance. The placement of the bust in the church is no accident, it suggests the divine right of kings, a concept that intertwines political power with religious authority. This symbolizes a longing for stability and order, echoing our collective memory of leadership across time. This image engages us on a subconscious level, tapping into our deeply ingrained notions of authority and the cyclical nature of power.