Voorstellen aan het volk van Willem en Maria als de nieuwe koning en koningin van Engeland, 1689 1689

Editor: Here we have "Voorstellen aan het volk van Willem en Maria als de nieuwe koning en koningin van Engeland, 1689" – a print made by Pieter Pickaert in 1689. It depicts William and Mary being presented to the people as the new King and Queen of England. It feels very formal and staged, almost like a theatrical performance. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: What immediately grabs me is how this image actively participates in constructing a specific narrative around power and legitimacy. Consider the context: William and Mary's ascension was, to put it mildly, politically complex. This engraving, disseminated as a print, wasn't simply recording an event, but shaping public perception. Think about the visual language: Who is included? Who is excluded? And what does that tell us about the intended audience and the message being conveyed? Editor: I see what you mean. There’s a real emphasis on the formal presentation and the presence of key figures. It feels carefully orchestrated. Curator: Exactly! Look at the strategic placement of William and Mary, elevated and central. Now think about the power dynamics inherent in presenting new monarchs to 'the people.' What does it mean to be presented? It suggests a degree of passivity on the part of the populace, a pre-determined agreement. What is left unsaid in the visual rhetoric of power? Editor: So, the engraving isn't just about documenting history, but actively shaping it by controlling the narrative and reinforcing established power structures? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to consider whose voices are amplified, whose are silenced, and how these visual strategies continue to resonate in contemporary representations of power and authority. Consider it a carefully crafted piece of political propaganda operating within the language of art. What do you think? Editor: That really shifts my understanding of the print. I was initially focused on the historical aspect but now I can see all these other factors at play! Thanks. Curator: It's all about understanding art as a participant, not just an observer, in the complex tapestry of social and political life!