Portret van Willem V, prins van Oranje-Nassau c. 1787 - 1851

This is a stipple engraving of Willem V, Prince of Orange-Nassau, created by Willem van Senus. The portrait presents a play of light and shadow, crafted through a meticulous arrangement of tiny dots. Observe how the artist uses the stippling technique to model form and texture. The density of dots defines the contours of Willem's face and attire. The controlled distribution of these marks articulates the subject's likeness and imparts a sense of depth. The image operates within a visual language of the time. The stipple engraving, as a medium, implies a certain democratization of image production, enabling a wider dissemination of the Prince’s image. The engraving is a testament to the period’s aesthetic and political sensibilities, using a play of light and shadow not only to depict a face but also to evoke the persona of authority and status.