Ruiterportret van Willem II, koning der Nederlanden 1810 - 1821

This is a portrait of William II, King of the Netherlands, by Antonie and Pieter van der Beek. It's a print, so it was designed to be easily reproduced and distributed. Equestrian portraits like this one have a long history of associating rulers with power and military leadership, and this image is no different. Here, William II is depicted as a strong leader on horseback, with soldiers and the Dutch flag in the background, and he holds his sword aloft. Prints such as this one were especially popular in the Netherlands in the 19th century. They helped to cultivate a sense of national identity. The House of Orange, to which William II belonged, played a key role in Dutch history, especially in their struggle for independence. This image, therefore, is not just a portrait of a king; it is an assertion of national pride and a celebration of Dutch history. To understand this work further, historians might research the role of the House of Orange in Dutch history, as well as the history of printmaking in the Netherlands.