Portret van Frederik Hendrik, prins van Oranje c. 1642 - 1665

This is a portrait of Frederik Hendrik, Prince of Orange, made with engraving by Francoys van Beusekom, though we don’t know exactly when. It tells us a lot about Dutch society at the time, especially its relationship to power. The prince is depicted with symbols of authority, like his clothing, the baton in his hand, and the sword on the table. The image makes a strong visual statement about his right to rule. This engraving was likely commissioned. In the Netherlands at this time, there was no royal court, and aristocratic families like the house of Orange used portraiture strategically to shape their public image. They circulated printed images like this one to maintain their visibility and status and consolidate their authority within Dutch society. To learn more, historians can study the patronage networks and political dynamics of the Dutch Golden Age. By examining these historical sources, we can better understand the complex ways in which art was used to construct and legitimize power.