Portret van Willem I Frederik, koning der Nederlanden 1815 - 1871

E. Guyard created this portrait of Willem I Frederik, King of the Netherlands, using engraving techniques. It embodies the visual codes of power prevalent in 19th-century Europe. The image presents Willem I in full military regalia, complete with epaulettes, sash, and star, symbols designed to convey authority and legitimacy. This portrait was made in the period after the Napoleonic Wars, when European monarchies were re-establishing their power and struggling with emerging ideas of nationalism and liberalism. Willem I, as the first King of the Netherlands, played a crucial role in this period of restoration. To understand this portrait, we must consider the role of portraiture in legitimizing rulers. Research into the history of the Dutch monarchy, the Napoleonic era, and the visual culture of 19th-century Europe would provide a deeper understanding of the image and its cultural context.