WILLIAM CHARLES HENRY FRISO, PRINCE OF ORANGE - BY AND SOLD BY JOHN FABER JNR, AFTER PHILIP VAN DYKE.

Mezzotint portrait of William Charles Henry Friso (1711-1751) by and sold by John Faber Jnr, after Philip van Dyk.

William Charles Henry Friso (1711-1751) William IV (Willem Karel Hendrik Friso; 1 September 1711 – 22 October 1751) was Prince of Orange from birth and the first hereditary stadtholder of all the United provinces of the Netherlands from 1747 until his death in 1751. During his whole life he was furthermore ruler of the Principality of Orange Nassau within the Holy Roman Empire.

William IV was considered an attractive, educated, and accomplished prince in his prime. Although he had little experience in state affairs, William was at first popular with the people. He stopped the practice of indirect taxation by which independent contractors managed to make large sums for themselves.

He was also a Director-General of the Dutch east India Compay, and his alliance with the business class deepened while the disparity between rich and poor grew.

William served as General Stadtholder of all the Netherlands until he died of a stroke in 1751 at The Hague and yes the county of Orange Virginia, and the city of Orangeburg, South Carolina, are named after him.

Date: 1734 Sheet: 26cm x 18cm Framed size: 42cm x 32cm

Price: £680