Philip William, Prince of Orange (1554-1618) c. 1692 - 1697

This terracotta bust of Philip William, Prince of Orange was made by Jan Claudius de Cock, around the turn of the 18th century. The bust is a commanding depiction of a man who lived a century before its creation. During his lifetime, Philip William was caught up in the political and religious conflicts between the Netherlands and Spain. As such, portraits of powerful leaders, then and later, offer insight into the way the Dutch Republic shaped its identity through the commemoration of key historical figures. The very creation of this bust after Philip William’s death suggests an ongoing need to connect with the past. The visual codes of leadership are all here: the elaborate clothing, the strong gaze, all communicating power. But how does this image serve the institutions of its own time? How does it reflect or challenge the social norms? To truly understand this piece, we need to delve deeper into Dutch history. The history of art is inseparable from the history of institutions and the shifting sands of cultural memory.