Plan van het vuurwerk bij de vijftiende verjaardag van Willem V, 1763 1763

This print, made in 1763 by Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont, depicts the fireworks display for Willem V’s fifteenth birthday. Willem V was the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic. The print showcases a blend of celebration and political messaging, reflecting the complex dynamics of the Dutch Republic. The fireworks, designed in an elaborate pattern, were more than just entertainment; they were a carefully orchestrated display of power and wealth intended to impress and unify the populace. It's a moment where the personal, Willem's birthday, becomes deeply intertwined with the political, the consolidation of power. Prints such as this also served as a form of propaganda, reinforcing the image of the ruling class and their authority. The print becomes a medium through which identity, power, and societal values are negotiated and reinforced. The emotional impact of such spectacles cannot be overlooked. It provided a shared experience that helped to solidify a sense of national identity, however constructed or exclusionary that identity may have been.