Portret van Frederik, prins der Nederlanden 1815 - 1864

This is a portrait of Frederik, Prince of the Netherlands, made by Willem Hendrik Hoogkamer, it's a lithograph. The lithograph as a medium was intimately connected with the rise of the bourgeoisie, a new kind of visibility for the powerful. Here, Prince Frederik is depicted in military dress, standing in front of his troops. The Netherlands in the early 19th century was a constitutional monarchy still finding its feet after the Napoleonic era. Military prowess and aristocratic lineage were still vital to legitimizing power. The composition reminds us of a traditional royal portrait; yet, the lithograph made this image reproducible and widely accessible. It speaks to the changing nature of power. While aristocracy still mattered, the ability to reach a broader public through printed media became increasingly important. To understand this work better, historians might consult genealogical records or military archives. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.