Standbeeld van Willem I, prins van Oranje, op het Plein te Den Haag 1848 - 1899

This print depicts the statue of William I, Prince of Orange, made by an anonymous artist using a technique called etching. In this print, the material and process is intaglio printmaking - that is, lines are incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. This allows for a high level of detail, visible here in the fine lines of William’s clothing and face. Etching is a printmaking technique that involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, creating lines that hold ink. The plate is then pressed against paper, transferring the image. This method, while capable of producing detailed images, also hints at the complex labor involved in its creation. The print medium is also significant as it democratizes the image of William, making it accessible to a wider audience than the original sculpture itself. This aligns with the social context of the artwork, which is rooted in Dutch nationalism and the veneration of William as a founding father. Looking closely at materials, making, and context allows us to consider the work’s full meaning, and challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.