Portret van Willem III, prins van Oranje c. 1666 - 1695

Anthony van Zijlvelt created this print of Willem III, Prince of Orange. The portrait invites a closer look at how power is visually constructed and maintained. Willem III's depiction is striking. The armor suggests strength and authority, yet his youthful face and long hair add a layer of vulnerability and perhaps even a hint of androgyny. This duality reflects the complex role Willem III played in a period of significant political and social change. The choice to portray Willem III in this manner speaks volumes about the negotiation of power, image, and identity in the 17th century. It challenges the traditional representation of rulers and hints at the tensions between inherited power and personal identity. It reveals the intricate dance between public expectation and individual expression.