Prins Willem loopt met echtgenote langs Balthasar Gerards, 1584 1823

Jacob Ernst Marcus created this print depicting Prince William and his wife in 18th century. Note the dog at the feet of the couple. The dog, often a symbol of fidelity and loyalty, is a common presence in portraits of couples throughout art history. The gesture of touch, as seen here between William and his wife, has a long lineage in art, symbolizing connection, affection, or even legitimacy. Consider its echoes in ancient Roman marriage portraits, where the joining of hands, or "dextrarum iunctio," sealed the marital bond. This motif resurfaces in medieval and Renaissance art to denote familial ties, power dynamics, and emotional bonds, evolving from a formal gesture into a vehicle for conveying a range of interpersonal relationships. The dog and the hand touch connect emotionally, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Indeed, these symbols demonstrate the non-linear progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.