Vertrek van Karel II uit Scheveningen naar Engeland, 1660 1660

Pieter Philippe’s engraving depicts Charles II’s 1660 departure from Scheveningen, Netherlands, to reclaim the English throne. Consider the weight of this moment, framed by cherubic figures, which must have felt like divine intervention to royalists. Charles II, restored to power after years of exile, embodies the shifting tides of political fortune. The print also speaks to Dutch society during the Golden Age, as the Netherlands played a pivotal role in European politics. This image reinforces the idea of a divinely sanctioned monarchy. The identity of those who weren't part of the monarchy, who remained nameless in the crowd, prompts questions about power, privilege, and national identity. This engraving serves as a reminder of the narratives that history chooses to amplify, and those it leaves in shadow.