Portret van Willem I, prins van Oranje 19th century

Editor: Here we have a 19th-century engraving by Gerrit Jan Thieme titled "Portret van Willem I, prins van Oranje," housed right here at the Rijksmuseum. The stark black and white gives it a really austere feel. What do you see in this piece beyond just a historical portrait? Curator: It’s interesting you pick up on the austerity. Beyond the immediate representation of Willem van Oranje, I see a careful construction of power and identity in a very specific historical context. The engraving, made centuries after his death, evokes the Baroque style to deliberately connect him to notions of stability and authority. Consider the fur; how does the choice of material function within this political theater? Editor: Well, fur obviously signifies wealth and status, doesn't it? And the ruff, I suppose. It's almost… constricting, like a cage around his neck. Curator: Precisely! The clothing, particularly the high ruff and heavy fur, symbolizes the constraints and responsibilities of leadership. Think about the context – 19th-century nationalism seeking to legitimize itself through historical figures. How does an image like this reinforce particular ideas about Dutch identity, and perhaps, exclude others? Who is able to identify with an image of elite masculinity such as this? Editor: That’s a great point. It's about creating a specific national narrative. I hadn’t thought about who it *excludes*. So, this isn’t just about remembering a historical figure, but about building a national identity based on certain ideals. Curator: Exactly. It’s about constructing a lineage of power, defining who belongs and who doesn’t. And that act of construction always has consequences. Does knowing that change your initial reaction to the piece? Editor: Definitely. It makes me question the intentions behind such a formal, almost rigid, depiction and how it feeds into broader power dynamics. Curator: Indeed. Hopefully, viewers today question those intentions, too, and look for ways to build a more inclusive vision of belonging.