Ring with a portrait of Stadtholder William V c. 1775 - 1790

This ring, bearing a portrait of Stadtholder William V, was crafted by Johann Heinrich Schepp in the late 18th century. The Dutch Republic, during this period, was a society steeped in political complexities and factionalism. William V's leadership was marked by growing tensions between the Orangists, who favored a strong Stadtholder, and the Patriots, who sought more democratic governance. The ring, in this context, functions as a piece of political propaganda, a wearable emblem of loyalty to the House of Orange. The choice of a ring, a personal and intimate object, suggests an attempt to foster a direct connection between the ruler and the ruled. Historians can delve into period pamphlets, political cartoons, and personal correspondence to fully understand the social and political dynamics that shaped the creation and reception of this object. Ultimately, the ring is a reminder that art, even in its smallest forms, is deeply embedded in the social and institutional contexts of its time.