Ruiterstandbeeld Willem I (Equestrian statue of William I), Hague

The Equestrian statue of William I, located in The Hague, is a monument of historical significance that has sparked some controversy due to its interesting history. In 1843, Emile de Nieuwerkercke, a French sculptor, presented King William II with a model for an equestrian statue of Prince William of Orange. King William II was immediately impressed by the design and personally financed the project. The statue was unveiled in 1845 and was placed opposite the Noordeinde Palace.

Interestingly, this project coincided with another effort led by a national commission and sculptor Royer, who had received approval in 1842 to work on a statue of the prince. However, Royer's statue was completed in 1848, three years after Nieuwerkercke's. The reasons for the delay in Royer's work remain unclear, but the king's decision to commission and erect the Nieuwerkercke statue before Royer's created significant controversy.

The Equestrian statue of William I is notable for being the oldest free-standing statue in The Hague and the first equestrian statue in the Netherlands. Nieuwerkercke portrayed Prince William of Orange as a commanding figure, embodying the image of an absolute ruler – a general in armor, holding a marshal's staff, and mounted on a horse. This representation, inspired by classical antiquity, symbolizes absolute power and likely resonated with King William II, who was renowned for his role in the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.