William I of Orange in armor

Prints were seen as a suitable means of self-promotion as early as the end of the 16th century. At the time, William I of Orange also knew how to use them skilfully for his own ends in his decades-long war with Spain. The portrait format shows him as combative, clad in armour, with helmet and gloves lying nearby. William I is framed in an oval, surrounded by emblems in the four corners of the sheet and the corresponding Latin mottos: Left-hand side: Hac duce clarescit: This leader lights up the night Hac mandata sequar: These laws I follow Right-hand side: Hac protegor umbra: Through this shadow I am protected Saevis tranquillus in undis: Calm in the midst of raging waves. All these sayings come from the bible and equate William I of Orange with Moses, for example, who led his people through dark times. At the same time, William’s steadfastness, close adherence to the law and outstanding leadership are emphasised.