Portrait of William III, Prince of Orange and Stadholder  1680

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 be...