Portret van Willem V, Prins van Oranje-Nassau, naar rechts, in ovaal 1773

Aert Schouman created this portrait of Willem V, Prince of Orange-Nassau, using pen in gray ink and brush in gray wash. This formal portrait presents Willem V within an oval frame, a convention that immediately evokes classical notions of leadership and virtue. Created in the Dutch Republic, a society shaped by its mercantile power and complex political structures, this image speaks to the role of the House of Orange-Nassau. Willem V was the last stadtholder of the Republic. Consider the history of portraiture and the expectations placed on the image of a leader, especially during the Enlightenment. Schouman’s choices reflect both the cultural values of the time and the specific political context in which Willem V operated. This image would have been made for distribution; how might it have helped shape public opinion of Willem V? Historical resources such as period newspapers, pamphlets, and personal letters can provide invaluable insights into the social and political meanings embedded in this portrait.