Familieportret van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden, Wilhelmina van Pruisen, hun zoons met echtgenotes, hun dochter en vier kleinkinderen c. 1826 - 1829

Claudio Linati created this family portrait of Willem I Frederik and his kin using etching techniques. Central to the composition is the motif of familial unity, a popular theme to legitimise power in the 19th century. Note the way the family is arranged: the patriarch Willem at the center, surrounded by his descendants. This arrangement echoes the iconography of the Holy Family in Christian art. The positioning suggests a divinely ordained lineage, subtly reinforcing the monarchy's authority. The chandelier hanging above serves not only as a source of illumination, but also as a symbol of status. Light has always been a divine attribute, a source of life, knowledge and prosperity. The family portrait, like the divine light, is a recurring motif throughout history, transcending cultures and artistic movements. Its essence, however, remains unchanged: the preservation of memory, the construction of identity, and the projection of power through the ages.