Portrait of Willem V (1748-1806), Prinz von Oranien-Nassau

The work was created in 1768 as an oil on canvas portrait of Willem V, Prince of Orange, commissioned within the Dutch aristocratic circle. It entered the collection of the Mauritshuis in The Hague, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s permanent holdings. The painting measures 141 cm in height and 101 cm in width.

The portrait was executed by Johann Georg Ziesenis, a German-born artist who worked at the Dutch court and was known for rendering members of the House of Orange in formal attire. Its creation reflects the political and cultural ties between the Dutch Republic and the Nassau family in the late 18th century. The work was likely produced to commemorate Willem V’s position and status during his tenure as Stadtholder.

The painting is held by the Mauritshuis in The Hague as part of the National Art Gallery of the Netherlands. It is inventoried there as object GW-153.

It was shown in the exhibition “Willem V, Prins van Oranje” held at the Mauritshuis in 2019 (cat. no. 21).

Portrait of Willem V, Prinz von Oranien-Nassau is an oil painting by Johann Georg Ziesenis, executed in 1768. The work portrays William V, Prince of Orange, in a formal, ornate military attire, conveying his rank and status.

The portrait reflects the late 18th-century European tradition of formal, symbolic royal portraiture, where attire and pose were crucial in conveying the subject's power and lineage.

While not widely discussed in broad art historical narratives, the portrait remains a significant example of 18th-century Dutch royal portraiture, offering insights into the visual language of aristocratic representation during that era.