Zinneprent op het herstel van de stadhouders, 1787 1787 - 1789

Hendrik Roosing created this print in 1787 to commemorate the restoration of the Stadtholders, a hereditary position held by the House of Orange in the Dutch Republic. This work reflects the complex interplay of politics, identity, and cultural values in the late 18th century. At the time, the Dutch Republic was divided between the Orangists, who supported the Stadtholders, and the Patriots, who sought a more democratic government. This print is unashamedly pro-Orangist. We can see the tree bearing oranges, the symbol of the House of Orange, being protected from a storm, symbolizing political unrest. The figures of Mars, the god of war, and a female allegorical figure representing the constitution point to a restoration of order and traditional values. The presence of cherubic figures and symbols of divine right suggest a divinely sanctioned return to power for the House of Orange. This print invites us to consider how political events shape cultural expressions and how artists use symbolism to reinforce identity and power.