Koning Karel II van Engeland spreekt de zittende leden van de Staten-Generaal toe, 1660 1660

Pieter Philippe created this print in 1660, capturing Charles II addressing the Dutch States-General, a pivotal moment of restored monarchy meeting republican governance. Note the heraldic symbols above the King, emblems of power, which echo through time from ancient Roman eagles to medieval crests. The act of bestowing and receiving counsel connects to classical traditions, seen in images of emperors surrounded by senators, and later, kings with their courts. It’s a motif repeated and reinterpreted across centuries. Consider the psychological weight of such gatherings, where decisions of state hinge on the interplay of personalities and historical forces. These are not just meetings, but symbolic enactments of power, laden with ancestral implications. The act of consultation itself, whether genuine or performative, has a power that continues to resonate in our collective memory.