Vertrek van de prins van Oranje uit Scheveningen, 1795 1853 - 1855

This anonymous print captures Prince William V's departure from Scheveningen in 1795. The iconography of farewell is rich here: observe the ship, a symbol of transition, and the figures wading into the water, evoking vulnerability and the unknown. Consider the motif of departure itself. Throughout history, from ancient Roman funerary reliefs depicting journeys to the afterlife to medieval images of the Flight into Egypt, the act of leaving has been a potent symbol of transformation and hope amidst despair. Here, the leaving is not a heroic adventure. Note the melancholic posture of the figures, how they contrast with celebratory processions. There's a deep sense of loss and uncertainty. This image, therefore, becomes a window into the collective psyche, reflecting a society grappling with change. The emotional weight of this scene lies not just in the historical event it depicts, but in its resonance with universal themes of departure, loss, and the search for new horizons. It touches us on a subconscious level, reminding us of our own experiences of saying goodbye and stepping into the unknown.