Portret van Willem II, koning der Nederlanden 1814 - 1819

This is Willem van Senus's portrait of Willem II, King of the Netherlands, rendered in etching, a work full of the crisp precision characteristic of the medium. The portrait is contained within a strong oval shape which lends a formality befitting its regal subject. The King's image is constructed through fine, parallel lines, meticulously cross-hatched to model form and texture. The artist employs a semiotic language of power, encoding status and authority in the fine details of the King's military attire and the subtle modelling of his face. The inscription below the portrait acts as a form of structural reinforcement. The etching destabilizes established meanings through its play with representation and power. The clean lines and controlled form suggest an engagement with enlightenment ideals of reason and order, yet the portrait also partakes in the construction of monarchical authority. The etched lines themselves become a signifier, contributing to a dialogue on representation, authority and cultural values.