Portret van Willem (Wiwill), prins van Oranje-Nassau by Disdéri & Co.

Portret van Willem (Wiwill), prins van Oranje-Nassau 1862

aged paper

toned paper

muted colour palette

personal sketchbook

historical fashion

unrealistic statue

coloured pencil

19th century

watercolour illustration

watercolor

This carte-de-visite, or CDV, photograph, taken in 1862 by Disdéri & Co. depicts Willem (Wiwill), Prince of Orange-Nassau. This popular photographic format, using a small paper card, flourished in the mid-19th century. The portrait captures the prince in a formal pose, dressed in a dark coat and waistcoat, standing with a cane. The image is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. CDVs provided an accessible way for people to share portraits with loved ones, and this image offers a glimpse into the life of a prominent historical figure.