Koning Willem I vraagt een wandelaar hoe laat het is - Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard

A nineteenth-century lithograph depicting a humorous encounter between King William I of the Netherlands and a pedestrian in a park.

This lithograph by Jean Baptiste Ambroise Marcellin Jobard depicts a lighthearted encounter between King William I of the Netherlands and a pedestrian. The scene is set within a wooded park, where the monarch, dressed in formal attire, approaches a man to enquire about the time. The composition relies on the contrast between the royal figure and the commoner, capturing a moment of social interaction that humanises the sovereign. Jobard, a Belgian lithographer and inventor, demonstrates technical precision in the rendering of the foliage and the textures of the subjects' clothing.

The print includes a caption in French, which provides the dialogue for the interaction. The text reads: 'Oh ciel! votre... sire, votre auguste, votre majesté - eh bien donc est-ce que sa majesté ne doit pas, savoir l'heure qu'il est.' This humorous exchange reflects the popular interest in anecdotes involving royalty during the early nineteenth century. The work is titled '17me RENCONTRE' at the top, suggesting it belongs to a larger series of prints documenting such meetings.

Technically, the lithograph employs a range of grey tones to create depth within the forest setting. The figures are placed centrally, with the trees providing a natural frame that draws the eye toward the interaction. The paper shows signs of age, consistent with its production in 1829. This piece offers a glimpse into the social dynamics and print culture of the period, where lithography allowed for the mass production of satirical or anecdotal imagery. It is a fine example of the genre work produced by Jobard, who was active during a period of rapid development in printing technologies. The print remains a record of both historical fashion and the public perception of the Dutch monarchy in the early nineteenth century.