Portret van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden c. 1830s - 1840s

This portrait of Willem I Frederik, King of the Netherlands, was made by Carel Frederik Curtenius Bentinck, using lithography, a printmaking process, on paper. Lithography allows for the creation of detailed images through a chemical process. The artist would have drawn on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treated the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. This method, while seemingly straightforward, demanded precision and skill, as the artist had to master the properties of the materials to achieve the desired tonal range and clarity. The choice of lithography speaks to broader social and technological developments. It was a relatively new technology at the time and more affordable than engraving, allowing for wider distribution of images and thus playing a role in shaping public perception. So, in looking at this portrait, remember that the materials and making process are deeply connected to the social and cultural context of its time.