Portret van Willem III, prins van Oranje c. 1744

This is an engraving of Willem III, Prince of Orange, created by an anonymous artist. Its presence in the Rijksmuseum speaks to its historical value, but let’s consider its place in the visual culture of its time. During the late 17th century, portraiture was a powerful tool for constructing and disseminating images of authority. Willem, adorned with symbols of power, is framed within a visual language designed to convey legitimacy and strength. Yet, such portraits often served to mask the complexities and contradictions inherent in the exercise of power. Consider the role of gender in this portrayal: Willem embodies a certain type of masculinity, but also relies on symbols, like the royal garb, that are reliant on displays of wealth, class and status. What does it mean to fashion an identity through such carefully constructed images, and who is included or excluded in this vision of power? This print invites us to consider the ways in which power is not simply held, but performed, negotiated, and consumed.