Koets gemaakt voor koning Willem III in Den Haag, 1698 1698

Daniël Marot made this drawing of a carriage for King William III in The Hague in 1698. The carriage itself, resplendent with ornate carvings and regal symbols, speaks volumes about the social hierarchy of the late 17th century. Produced in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age, this drawing reflects the immense wealth and power concentrated in the hands of the ruling class. Carriages were not merely modes of transportation; they were potent symbols of status and authority. The design, with its classical motifs and attention to detail, is a nod to the established artistic traditions, yet also asserts the monarchy's place at the pinnacle of society. As art historians, we delve into archives, letters, and period documents to understand the full context of such pieces. Only then can we appreciate how artworks like this both reflected and reinforced the social structures of their time.