RAMBLINGS

"Willem"

In this drawing, I have sought to capture my vision of Willem Mons, a historical figure entangled in the Russian imperial court during the reign of Empress Catherine I. Willem is said to have been romantically linked to Catherine I, a connection that ultimately led to a tragic and macabre end.

As the whispers of court gossip suggest, Willem Mons faced the grim fate of beheading at the command of none other than Catherine's husband, Peter the Great. The shadows of political intrigue and personal betrayal shroud the circumstances surrounding Willem's demise, weaving a narrative of forbidden love and ruthless consequences.

Following his execution Willem's severed head found its way into a preservation jar filled with alcohol. This gruesome relic, purportedly temporarily housed in the Kunstkamera, becomes the focal point of a haunting legend. It is said that Peter the Great, in a cruel act of dominance, compelled Catherine I to gaze upon her ill-fated lover's preserved head for extended periods.

This morbid episode serves as a testament to the darker facets of power dynamics, where personal relationships were entangled with political repercussions. My drawing aims to capture what I imagine Willem would have looked like.


Original Drawing On Paper Using Graphite, Charcoal and Ink.

 

Seth Jennemann
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