Council of State Portrait Gallery

modest (uniform) presentation 

The exhibition is entirely focused on a modest presentation with good legibility, which brings out the best in the busts. The foreground and base of the arrangement constitute a neutral unity with regard to colour and atmosphere, and are entirely executed in warm grey. The sculptures are placed on pedestals that form a single entity with an underlying platform that fulfils both a supporting and connecting function. Depending on the specific dimensions of the portraits, the pedestals are higher or lower and are situated closer or further away from the display window. That means that all the portraits are aligned at the height of the spectator, who is then standing as much as possible eye-to-eye with the different sovereigns.

bronze sculptures 

The sculptures of the Kings William I, II and III are new bronzes taken from marble portraits, which Claus has also provided with new cut lines that differ from the originals. The portraits of the sovereigns Wilhelmina, Juliana and Beatrix were already part of the Council of State collection.

graphic design 

Also taking clarity and legibility as starting points, graphic designer Tessa van der Waals provided the typographical elements in the gallery. On the back wall, in bronze-coloured letters matching the portraits, the Dutch translation has been placed of an originally Latin quotation from William of Orange’s important Council of State speech about the freedom of conscience and religion, held on 31 December 1564:

‘Yet Orange cannot agree that monarchs should rule over the souls of their subjects and take from them their freedom of belief and religion.’ In the same colour, Van der Waals provided the busts with information about the people portrayed and their periods of reign, the makers of the sculptures and the dates of the artworks.