Portret van Willemoes 1801 - 1823

This stipple engraving depicts Lieutenant Willemoes and was created by Johann Jakob Rieter. The engraving immortalizes Willemoes, who commanded a floating battery during the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. The Danish-Norwegian forces were significantly outnumbered during the battle, yet fought fiercely. Willemoes, only 18 at the time, became a symbol of national pride and resistance. The portrait captures a moment of youthful defiance amidst a backdrop of war. Willemoes’s determined gaze and proud posture speak to themes of nationalism and the romanticization of military heroism. Yet, we must also consider the profound human cost of war. The print invites contemplation on how personal identity is forged in the crucible of conflict. It prompts us to reflect on the narratives we construct around historical events and the individuals who become emblematic of those narratives.