Willem I, soeverein vorst der Nederlanden, 1814 1865

This anonymous 1865 engraving, "Willem I, soeverein vorst der Nederlanden, 1814," depicts Willem I, the first monarch of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, in an idealized setting. A central oval portrait of Willem I is surrounded by allegorical figures representing the Dutch Republic, including a woman embodying Liberty and cherubs representing prosperity. Below, a scene depicts the Dutch people pledging allegiance to their new sovereign. The use of allegorical figures and the idealized nature of the imagery reflects a patriotic sentiment towards the new Dutch monarchy. This work is a valuable example of Dutch historical art that is now part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum.