Portretten van Louise Henriëtte, prinses van Oranje, en Frederik Willem van Brandenburg 1646 - 1699

This double portrait etching depicts Louise Henriëtte, Princess of Orange, and Frederik Willem of Brandenburg. In this period, portraits of the elite served as a tool for constructing and conveying identities, reinforcing social hierarchies and legitimizing power. Louise Henriëtte's identity was shaped by her gender and royal status. As a princess, her marriage to Frederik Willem was of great political importance, solidifying alliances. Her representation in the portrait is in line with expectations of the time, emphasizing her role as a wife and a symbol of dynastic continuity. Frederik Willem is depicted with symbols of power which reflect not only his status but also project an image of authority. While portraits of the time tend to reinforce traditional roles, there can be an emotional dimension in these depictions. The subjects in this portrait are presented with a quiet dignity that reveals a sense of individual character beneath the symbols of power. The symmetry in composition hints at balance.