Portrait of William III, Prince of Orange and Stadholder, Caspar Netscher, c. 1680 - c. 1684
oil on canvas, h 80.5cm × w 63cm × t 5.5cm More details
At the time that this portrait was made, William III was stadholder of the Dutch Republic and commander of the army. This is how a ruler had himself immortalized, namely holding a commander’s staff to underscore his actual might. The plumed helmet and orange sash also signify his status. Still the prince had not yet reached the height of his power: in 1689 he would also become the king of England.
