Details van de decoraties op het bouwwerk voor het vuurwerk op de Hofvijver ter ere van de kroning van keizer Frans I Stefan, 1746 1746 - 1747

Jan Caspar Philips created this print in 1746, detailing the decorations for a firework display on the Hofvijver, celebrating the coronation of Emperor Francis I Stefan. The print gives us a glimpse into the spectacles of power and identity in 18th-century Europe. The elaborate decorations weren't just about celebrating an emperor; they were carefully constructed narratives of power, designed to impress and inspire loyalty. Consider the symbolism embedded in these decorations: the imperial eagles, the classical figures, and inscriptions. How do these elements come together to create a certain image of imperial authority? As we look closer, can we consider how these displays served to unite or divide? Did these celebrations resonate with all members of society, or were they primarily aimed at reinforcing the status of the elite? What voices were excluded from this carefully orchestrated narrative?