Portret van Willem van Oldenbarnevelt 1751 - 1816

This engraving portrays Willem van Oldenbarnevelt, and was made by Reinier Vinkeles. Willem’s story is one of privilege, betrayal, and ultimately, tragedy. As the son of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, a leading statesman in the Dutch Republic, Willem enjoyed a life of prominence until his father’s fall from power and subsequent execution. Seen through the lens of social class, the portrait speaks volumes about the shifting sands of fortune. Though born into an elite family, Willem's life was forever altered by political intrigue. The print makes reference to Willem's role in a conspiracy to avenge his father’s death, leading to his own execution. The print serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of political conflict. It reflects on the emotional toll exacted upon individuals caught in the crosshairs of history.