Portret van Johan Willem Friso, prins van Oranje-Nassau c. 1712 - 1767

Jacob Folkema created this print of Johan Willem Friso, Prince of Orange-Nassau sometime between 1692 and 1767. The print is a meticulously detailed representation of a man who carried the weight of dynastic expectation. The Prince is framed by symbols of power and heritage: cherubic figures, a coat of arms, and martial objects. These aren't just decorative elements; they speak to the complex interplay between personal identity and inherited status. This piece reveals the constructed nature of identity, especially within the context of nobility. The Prince isn't just a man, but an emblem of a lineage, his personhood intertwined with political and social expectations. The gaze of the Prince is both knowing and burdened, as if aware of the performative aspect of his role. Folkema's print invites us to consider the personal cost of such a highly public existence, and the narratives of power we continue to uphold.