Willem III (1650-1702), prins van Oranje en sinds 1689 koning van Engeland met zijn vrouw Maria Stuart (1662-95) 1700 - 1750

Peter Hoadly painted this miniature portrait of William III and Mary Stuart, likely in the late 17th century, using watercolor on a substrate of ivory. The composition is immediately striking for its symmetry and balance; the figures are positioned side by side within an oval frame. The formal arrangement creates a sense of harmony, but also hints at the political union these figures represent. The artist’s delicate brushstrokes render the fine details of their clothing, but the material qualities of powdered wigs framing their faces also create a striking texture. The use of color is particularly strategic. The bright blues of their garments contrast against the muted background, drawing the viewer's eye. The structure of the composition, and the deliberate use of color, invites us to consider the broader cultural codes at play here. It underscores how portraiture was used to convey power, status, and dynastic stability. It's in these formal qualities that we can decode the complex interplay of art, politics, and representation in the late 17th century.