Koning Willem I ontvangt een jongeman die om de hand van zijn dochter vraagt - Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard

A detailed 1829 lithograph by Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard depicting a formal royal audience between King Willem I and a young suitor.

This lithograph by Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard, dated 1829, captures a formal yet intimate moment of royal court life. The scene depicts King Willem I of the Netherlands in a private audience with a young suitor who has arrived to request the hand of the King's daughter in marriage. The composition is structured around the interaction between the two central figures, while a third individual stands in the background, acting as an observer or attendant.

Jobard employs a precise, delicate line quality characteristic of early nineteenth-century lithography. The figures are rendered with attention to their period-appropriate military and formal attire, reflecting the social codes of the era. The background features simple drapery, which directs the viewer's focus toward the dialogue occurring between the monarch and the petitioner. The text inscribed below the image provides the narrative context, detailing the suitor's earnest request and the King's measured response regarding the necessity of consulting his wife on such a family matter.

As a work of historical genre, the print offers a glimpse into the intersection of personal life and public duty within a royal household. The artist, Jobard, was known for his technical skill in the medium of lithography, which allowed for the reproduction of fine details and subtle tonal variations. This piece serves as a record of the social customs and political atmosphere of the early nineteenth century. The print is presented with its original caption, preserving the historical dialogue that defines the scene. It is a fine example of the narrative-driven graphic art that was popular in European circles during this period, combining technical precision with a focus on human interaction.