Portret van Frederik Hendrik, prins van Oranje, en Amalia van Solms 1904

This monochrome print, made by Verlagsanstalt Fr. Bruckmann A.-G., features Frederik Hendrik, Prince of Orange, and his wife, Amalia van Solms. In the context of 17th-century Dutch society, such a portrait served as a powerful assertion of status, wealth and dynastic ambition. Frederik Hendrik, in full military regalia, embodies the traditional image of masculine power, while Amalia's refined dress signifies her role in maintaining the family's social standing. Yet, it's worth considering Amalia's influence beyond the domestic sphere; she was a significant political advisor to her husband and a patron of the arts. The artwork subtly reinforces the era's gendered expectations, even as it acknowledges Amalia's importance. It prompts us to reflect on the narratives that are told and those that remain unseen, inviting us to consider the complexities of identity, power, and representation in historical portraiture.