Vertrek van prins Willem III, 1672 1779 - 1781

This delicate drawing depicts the departure of Prince William III in 1672, created by Simon Fokke sometime between 1712 and 1784. Observe the prominent carriage, a symbol of power and transition. The Prince departs amidst onlookers, their gestures frozen in a moment of farewell. Throughout history, the motif of departure has echoed in art, be it a monarch or a deity, signaling a pivotal moment. Consider the ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs embarking on journeys to the afterlife, or the many paintings illustrating Christ's ascension. Here, the carriage resonates with these past depictions, yet transformed. This image speaks to the psychological weight of change. Departure stirs a deep, subconscious response, triggering both hope and anxiety. Like so many images that came before it and after, this drawing captures the ongoing human experience of witnessing the transit from one stage to another. The symbol of the carriage, then, takes on new meanings in different eras and reminds us of the cyclical progression of history.