Portret van Willem III, koning der Nederlanden 1887

Curator: This arresting portrait captures Willem III, King of the Netherlands, rendered in 1887 by Pieter de Josselin de Jong. The artwork combines charcoal and pencil. Editor: My first impression is one of quiet power. The limited palette, the focus on detail around his face and the heavy military dress really makes him seem quite serious, even formidable. Curator: Indeed. Let's consider the materials. Charcoal and pencil are relatively accessible media. Its choice suggests a democratization of portraiture, making the representation of royalty slightly more grounded, less overtly precious than oil paint, say. What do you make of the symbolic weight of his image? Editor: The beard, for one, projects wisdom and authority – a classic icon of leadership. And then there are the medals. Each medal signifies specific achievements and service to the nation, functioning as a condensed narrative of his reign and bolstering his divine right to rule. They speak of duty and honour but perhaps also a certain amount of performativity involved with Kingship. Curator: It's interesting that you note "performative" aspects. Look at the rendering of the clothing, compared to the detail applied to his face. De Josselin de Jong is definitely making a clear material distinction between surface display, versus inner character and what we perceive in it. Editor: Precisely. It directs us to look deeper for the 'real' Willem. The subdued tones evoke a sense of gravitas but also vulnerability; perhaps reflective of the changing times in which traditional symbols of power were being challenged. Curator: The act of creating such a representational image inherently participates within a complex framework. Who was commissioning this portrait, and what narratives were those patrons seeking to advance through its creation and circulation? Such inquiries are always at play when we gaze upon likenesses like these, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. It shows how an artwork is so much more than merely technique, and even artistry. It’s a reflection of shifting cultural, and political ideologies too. Thank you. That has given me much to reflect upon in viewing this drawing.