Willem V toegesproken in de vergadering van de Staten van Zeeland, 1786 1786

This engraving, created by Dutch artist Mathias de Sallieth in 1786, depicts Willem V, the Stadtholder of the Netherlands, addressing the States of Zeeland. The image is a historical record of a key moment in Dutch politics, showcasing the Stadtholder at the center of a formal meeting with the representatives of Zeeland. De Sallieth, known for his engravings and portraits, captures the solemnity and grandeur of the occasion, with Willem V standing before the assembled delegates in a grand hall adorned with a decorative wall of miniature ships. The print is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum and serves as a testament to the artistic documentation of political events in 18th-century Netherlands.