Portret van Maurits, prins van Oranje c. 1755 - 1785

This is Gerard Sibelius’s, *Portret van Maurits, prins van Oranje*. It was made with etching. The artwork presents us with a portrait of Maurits of Orange. His regal presence fills an oval frame, which itself is laden with symbolic objects. Notice the interplay of shapes, how the circular frame contrasts with the angularity of the military hardware. Now, consider the composition. Sibelius uses the etching technique to create a richly detailed surface. The interplay of light and shadow, achieved through fine lines, adds depth and texture. The detailed armour and battle scene, acts not merely as decoration but as a symbolic narrative of Maurits’s military achievements. The piece uses visual elements to not only represent Maurits but to construct an image of power and authority, reflecting broader concerns around leadership, war and historical memory. As we observe the artist’s formal choices, the etching acts as a site of historical interpretation, inviting us to reconsider the meanings we ascribe to the past.