Portret van Willem V, prins van Oranje-Nassau 1765 - 1849

This is an anonymous portrait of Willem V, Prince of Orange-Nassau. It's a small engraving, notable for its intricate detail achieved through fine lines and careful shading. The composition is formal and hierarchical; the Prince is framed by an oval border, which sits above a horizontal block of text bearing his name, all contained within a rectangle. Look closely at how the anonymous artist has used the texture of hatching to build up the Prince’s face and clothing. The lines vary in density and direction to suggest form and volume. The background is hatched with horizontal lines to make the portrait stand out. Notice the symbolic use of the oval frame, it has connotations of importance and sets the prince apart from his surroundings. The frame is a visual metaphor for the power structures of the time. The artwork embodies not just the likeness of a person, but also the coded representation of status and authority.