Portret van Willem III, prins van Oranje 1688 - 1749

This is an undated engraving of William the Third, Prince of Orange, made by an anonymous artist. In it, we see William portrayed as King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. In this period, images of royalty were carefully curated to project power and legitimacy, and prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping public perception. The Dutch Republic, where this print was likely made, had a thriving print culture, and images of William circulated widely, particularly after he became King of England in 1689. The choice of language for the text at the bottom of the engraving is interesting. It is printed in Dutch, rather than English, suggesting it was made for local consumption. To fully understand the significance of this print, we can delve into the archives, exploring how images of William were used to promote his political agenda. By studying the printmaking industry of the time, we can gain insight into the social and political forces that shaped its production and reception.