Portret van Willem Frederik I, koning der Nederlanden
c. 1827 - c. 1851
Medium
lithography
Dimensions
442; 304
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
etiket, verso, geplakt: ‘3333a’ Rode rechthoek met handgeschreven tekst.
Art Historical Context
### Portrait of Willem Frederik I, King of the Netherlands striking lithograph, titled *Portret van Willem Frederik I, koning der Nederlanden*, the regal likeness of Willem I (1772–1843), the first King of the Netherlands. Created by Belgian artist Théodore Fourmo around 1827–1851, it measures 442 mm high by 304 mm wide, making it a substantial print suitable for display in homes or public spaces. Fourmois, better known for his romantic landscapes, demonstrates his versatility here in portraiture, rendering the monarch with dignified poise amid the political turbulence of post-Napoleonic Europe. Lithography, the medium of choice, revolutionized 19th-century image reproduction. Invented just decades earlier, it allowed artists to draw directly on stone with greasy crayon, producing multiple high-quality prints affordably—ideal for disseminating royal portraits across the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815–1830). This technique's fine tonal gradations likely highlight Willem I's stern features and ornate attire, symbolizing national unity during his reign, which bridged the Dutch Republic's end and modern monarchy's birth. A curious detail persists on the verso: a red rectangular label inscribed "3333a" in handwriting, possibly an old inventory mark from a collection. This artifact invites us to ponder its journey through time, evoking the era's blend of artistry and monarchy in a single, enduring sheet.
About the Artist
Théodore Fourmois · 1814–1871
Théodore Fourmois (1814–1871) was a pioneering Belgian landscape painter and printmaker who played a crucial role in liberating Belgian art from academic conventions and establishing a distinctly Belgian tradition of plein air landscape painting. Born in Presles in 1814 and dying in Ixelles in 1871, Fourmois bridged the Romantic and Realist movements in Belgian art, combining emotional responsiven...