Engagement of Princess Charlotte to William of Orange, London, 1813 1808 - 1818

This watercolor drawing of the London skyline in 1813, by an anonymous artist, depicts the fireworks celebrating the engagement of Princess Charlotte to William of Orange. The artwork is made of watercolor, a medium valued for its ability to capture light and atmosphere. The light of the fireworks contrasts with the black sky to create a dramatic composition, making us wonder if the artist knew the chemistry of color mixing. In his choice of watercolor the artist aligns himself with a tradition that privileges immediacy and direct expression, but here it is used to depict a spectacular scene. Consider the social context. Fireworks, like the royal wedding itself, were a form of public spectacle, designed to solidify the monarchy's power. And watercolor, while seemingly delicate, could be marshaled to capture this display of wealth and imperial power. The artist seems to be playing with the notions of high and low, ephemeral and lasting, in ways that invite us to reconsider these categories altogether.