Penning op de verheffing van de prins van Oranje tot stadhouder, uitgedeeld aan de wachthebbende burgers van de stad Amsterdam ter ere van de doortocht van de prins door de stad, 1747 1747

This print from 1747 commemorates the appointment of Prince William IV of Orange as Stadtholder, an important political position in the Dutch Republic. It was distributed to the citizens of Amsterdam who were on guard duty during the prince's procession through the city. The image creates meaning through symbolism drawn from classical and contemporary sources. Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare, represents Amsterdam, armed and protective. She stands beneath an orange tree, symbolizing the House of Orange, and holds a shield bearing Amsterdam’s coat of arms. The altar with burning offerings refers to the preservation of freedom and religious worship through the prince's election. This imagery promotes the prince's role in preserving Dutch liberties. To fully understand this print, historians explore sources such as city archives, pamphlets, and political writings to understand how the House of Orange came to prominence. Analyzing this artwork as a historical artifact reveals the complex interplay between politics, civic identity, and visual propaganda in 18th-century Netherlands.