Lijkklacht op de dood van Willem IV, 1751 1751

In 1751, Kornelis Westerbaen Willemsz. created this text-based print titled "Lijkklacht op de dood van Willem IV," or "Lament on the Death of William IV." This piece reflects the political climate of the Dutch Republic, a period marked by the resurgence of the House of Orange. The death of William IV, who held the office of Stadtholder, Captain and Admiral General, triggered a wave of public mourning. Westerbaen’s print can be understood as a piece of political propaganda, meant to consolidate support for the Oranges. The choice of typography, the layout of the text, and the use of Dutch language, all reinforce the image of a strong leader, mourned by his people. Historians of art and culture would explore archives of printed materials, political pamphlets, and personal letters from the time, to understand the complex ways in which the image of William IV was constructed and circulated.