Allegorie op het huwelijk van Willem III en Mary Stuart, 1677 1677

This etching by Romeyn de Hooghe, circa 1677, now at the Rijksmuseum, allegorizes the marriage of Willem III and Mary Stuart. At its heart, we observe a powerful convergence of symbols – a bust of Mars, cherubic figures, and the joining of hands, each laden with historical weight. The act of joining hands before the bust of Mars is striking. This ancient god of war, typically a symbol of conflict, here seems to bear witness to a union. In classical antiquity, the hand-joining ritual signified not merely a bond but the transfer of power, property, and legacy. Observe how the cherubs above, bearing wreaths, echo similar motifs found in Roman imperial art, where such figures heralded the dawn of a golden age. This symbol has echoed through Renaissance paintings, celebrating peace and prosperity. Consider, however, how Mars's presence introduces a subtle tension. Does it foreshadow potential conflict? Or does it suggest the strength and resolve necessary to defend their union? It reveals how collective memory and subconscious processes can imbue the same symbol with dual meanings. The enduring nature of symbols, ever-evolving yet rooted in a cyclical progression of history, engages viewers on a subconscious level.