Plate with portraits of Princes Wilhelmina and Prince Willem V c. 1767

This plate with portraits of Princes Wilhelmina and Prince Willem V was made by an anonymous artist. Here, at the center, a stylized tree laden with fruit rises between the profiles of Wilhelmina and Willem. This is no mere botanical detail but a carefully chosen symbol. The tree, in its essence, represents life, growth, and continuity. It has roots that connect the past and branches reaching for the future. Consider, too, how the motif of the tree appears across cultures—from the Tree of Life in ancient mythologies to family trees symbolizing lineage. This plate shows the faces of the Dutch royalty, and how the image of the tree evokes notions of legacy and the perpetuation of their line. The power of such images lies in their ability to engage us on a subconscious level, tapping into primal feelings of hope and renewal. It reminds us that symbols are not static; they evolve and adapt, resurfacing in new forms to carry forward the enduring themes of human experience.