Kind weigert zijn hoed af te nemen voor koning Willem I - Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard

A 1830 lithograph by Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard depicting a young boy's act of defiance toward King Willem I of the Netherlands.

This lithograph by Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard, dated 1830, captures a specific historical anecdote involving King Willem I of the Netherlands. The scene depicts a young boy refusing to remove his hat in the presence of the monarch, a gesture of defiance that contrasts with the social expectations of the era. The composition is structured around the three figures standing in a rural setting, framed by a low stone wall and sparse trees. The artist employs fine lithographic lines to render the textures of the period clothing, from the boy's simple attire to the King's formal frock coat and top hat.

The text inscribed below the image provides the dialogue for the encounter. The father urges his son to show respect, stating, 'Uncover yourself my son, it is the King.' The boy responds with a sharp retort, 'I do not salute a heretic,' which reflects the religious and political tensions present in the Southern Netherlands during the period leading up to the Belgian Revolution. Jobard, who was active in Brussels and known for his technical interest in lithography and photography, uses this narrative to comment on the social climate of the time.

The print is executed with a focus on clarity and narrative detail. The background features a windmill and a distant village, providing a sense of place that grounds the interaction in a recognisable Dutch or Belgian environment. The work functions as a historical document, capturing a moment of ideological friction through a domestic lens. The monochromatic palette and the precision of the lithographic process allow the viewer to focus on the expressions and postures of the figures, which convey the gravity of the boy's refusal. This piece offers an insight into the political discourse of the early nineteenth century, presented through the medium of popular graphic art.