Portret van Willem I, prins van Oranje, op 51-jarige leeftijd 1640

This is an anonymous portrait of Willem I, Prince of Orange, rendered as an engraving. Immediately, the intricate play of lines defines the entire visual field, setting up a dynamic between the Prince’s figure and the surrounding ornamentation. The composition places Willem within a bordered oval, itself encased in a rectangular frame filled with symbolic objects. The very structure of this portrait—its form—conveys layers of meaning. The detailed engraving transforms Willem into a sign, a symbol of Dutch identity, a semiotic representation. The use of line isn't just descriptive, but it’s constitutive, building both image and concept. This visual language creates a structure where Willem is not merely depicted but actively constructed as an icon. Ultimately, the portrait functions as a formal exercise in image construction, and also as a semiotic act that establishes Willem I within the cultural consciousness.