Portret van Willem II, koning der Nederlanden, Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden, en Frederik, prins der Nederlanden 1832

This lithograph of Willem II, Willem I Frederik, and Frederik, Princes of the Netherlands, was made by an anonymous artist, at an unknown date. The lithographic process, which involves drawing on a stone with a greasy crayon, was still a relatively new technology at this time. Its advent meant that images could be reproduced much more easily than before. A print like this one, memorializing national leaders, would have served an important function in consolidating political power. Note how the sharp lines of the lettering contrast with the softer, more modulated areas of shading. The details of the Prince’s uniforms, with their epaulettes and decorations, are also nicely rendered, giving a sense of their authority. The inscription at the bottom indicates that this print was presented to the local council of Amsterdam. That gesture reflects the political dynamics of the time, as newly industrialized nations were being formed. What’s more, it reminds us that art always exists in relation to wider social forces.