Tekst bij het portret van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden 1791 - 1816

This print, conceived by Jan Scharp, presents us with a cascade of text, dedicated to Willem I Frederik, Prince of Orange-Nassau. It's more than mere words; it's a carefully constructed edifice of power and lineage. The act of dedication itself— "Opdragt"— echoes the ancient practice of votive offerings, where objects were given to deities to ensure divine favor. Here, the print is offered to Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina, Princess of Prussia, suggesting a strategic alliance through familial devotion. Consider how this gesture mirrors the presentation of portraits in Renaissance courts, where likenesses were exchanged to solidify political unions, each image laden with symbolic weight. The conscious arrangement of text reminds us that images are not merely seen; they are read, interpreted, and imbued with the desires and anxieties of their time. It’s a potent reminder of how we, even now, seek order and meaning in the chaotic stream of history.