Frederik Willem II neemt afscheid van de prinses en haar kinderen, 1788 1788 - 1789

This etching by Theodoor Koning captures Frederik Willem II bidding farewell to the princess and her children in 1788. The composition meticulously arranges figures within an expansive interior, where the rigid symmetry of the room underscores the formality of the occasion. Notice how the artist uses line and space to define depth, drawing the eye from the foreground figures towards the receding plane of assembled dignitaries. In this carefully constructed scene, Koning employs the semiotics of space to emphasize power dynamics. The architecture, depicted with such graphic precision, serves not merely as a backdrop but as an active participant in the staging of authority and tradition. The chandeliers and wall sconces throw patterns of light and shadow that invite us to explore the cultural codes embedded within the image. The lasting impact of this work lies in its formal articulation of a moment. Koning captures not just an event, but an entire system of values and social structures.