Standbeeld van Willem II, koning der Nederlanden, op het Buitenhof te Den Haag 1853 - 1887

This print by Carel Christiaan Antony Last depicts the statue of Willem II, King of the Netherlands, in the Buitenhof in The Hague. While undated, it captures a moment in the Netherlands' transition from monarchy to a more modern state. The statue itself is of a man who was a key figure in Dutch history, but it’s the people surrounding the statue that I find more telling. The women surrounding the statue act as allegorical figures and are frozen in place, while the people who look at the statue are shown in motion. Who are these people looking at the statue? How do they see themselves in relation to the statue of the King? The fence suggests a separation between the King and the people. Willem II himself was a complex figure, known for his military achievements, but also for initiating constitutional reforms. This artwork invites us to reflect on the legacy of leadership and representation.