Portret van Willem IV, prins van Oranje-Nassau 1747 - 1749

Jacob Folkema created this print of Willem IV, Prince of Orange-Nassau, in the Netherlands around 1747. The print presents a highly idealized image of Willem IV, whose family had a long and complex relationship with the Dutch Republic. The print blends allegorical elements such as cherubs and emblems with realistic representations of the prince. Note the Latin motto "Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt" on the coin, meaning "In harmony, small things grow". This reflected the political context of the time, in which the Dutch Republic faced internal divisions and external threats. Willem IV's leadership was seen by some as a way to unite the country and restore its former glory. The print thus participates in a broader culture of political imagery. Historians use various resources to understand the print's context, including political pamphlets, newspapers, and other visual materials from the period. The meaning of the print is contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was produced and consumed.