Titelpagina voor de Hollandsche Mercurius over het jaar 1689 1690

Romeyn de Hooghe created this etching, “Title page for the Hollandsche Mercurius for the year 1689,” as part of a series of historical journals published annually in the Netherlands. The image presents William of Orange and his wife Mary Stuart enthroned above a tumultuous scene of military conflict, reflecting the political tensions of the time. De Hooghe situates the monarchs as divinely appointed figures, underscored by allegorical figures bestowing crowns upon them. The title page, more than a mere illustration, embodies the intersections of power, religion, and national identity. The battles depicted at the base are not just military engagements but are deeply entwined with religious and political struggles. De Hooghe invites us to consider the human cost of leadership, and the personal sacrifices demanded by the figures in power.