Portret van Willem II, koning der Nederlanden Possibly 1817

This is a portrait of Willem II, King of the Netherlands, made by R. Cooper, though details of the artist are not fully available. It's a print, likely an engraving, which means the image was incised into a metal plate and then transferred to paper. The process of engraving demands precision, patience, and skill. Each line of the image is carefully carved, creating a network of grooves that hold ink. It is a laborious, time-consuming process that can be easily replicated, hinting at the rise of industrial image production. Consider how the medium affects our perception of Willem II. The fine lines lend a sense of dignity and refinement, befitting his royal status. The print is an intriguing artifact that blends the precision of craft with the rise of industrial image production, forever blurring the boundary between art and commerce.