Document 1775 - 1800

This is a handwritten document, an autograph, by Willem George Frederik, Prince of Orange-Nassau. Born into the Dutch Royal family in 1774, Willem's life was shaped by the political upheaval of the late 18th century, the age of revolutions. As a member of the ruling class, his identity was inextricably linked to the power and privilege of the House of Orange. This document, in its elegant script, speaks to the formal education and social status afforded to him. But consider also the fragility of such power: Willem died young, at just 24, his life cut short during a period of immense social and political change. His signature, therefore, becomes more than just a royal mark; it’s a poignant trace of a life lived in the crosscurrents of history, a reminder of the ephemerality of power and the personal stories embedded within grand historical narratives.