Allegorische voorstelling op twee koninklijke huwelijken 1790

Jan Gerritsz. Visser created this print, "Allegorische voorstelling op twee koninklijke huwelijken," which translates to "Allegorical Representation of Two Royal Marriages." Prints like these were often commissioned to celebrate and legitimize political unions, but this one also serves as a reflection of the social and political values of the time. We can see how power was conceived through the use of classical and allegorical figures: the figures of Mars and Athena represent strength and wisdom, while a celestial gathering of cherubic figures embody love, peace, and unity. The portraits of the royal couples are framed within a theater curtain, turning the weddings into a public spectacle. The women, Frederica and Louisa Wilhelmina, are positioned as symbols of national unity, their identities tied to dynastic succession. The choice to represent the marriages through allegory rather than direct portraiture subtly reinforces the idea of these unions as divinely ordained and inherently virtuous. This piece invites us to consider how such artworks shape collective memory, and the emotional connection that emerges from the convergence of personal stories and broader historical narratives.