Portret van Willem III, prins van Oranje 1738

Jan Caspar Philips created this portrait of Willem III, Prince of Orange, using etching techniques. The image is rich with symbols of power and authority, notice the ermine robes and armour, emblems of royalty and military strength. Below Willem, observe the detailed naval scene, a nod to his maritime power. This echoes a long history of rulers associating themselves with naval dominance, as far back as ancient Roman imagery, where emperors were depicted with Neptune, god of the sea. The oval frame is a form used to indicate importance, reminiscent of ancient cameos of emperors, but has become commonplace, almost kitsch. The gesture of framing, encasing the sovereign, speaks to our collective need to contain and control powerful figures. These symbols are not static; they evolve and resurface, charged with new meanings by each generation. It's a cyclical progression, reflecting our continuous negotiation with power and authority across time.