Landing van het leger van Willem III bij Belfast, 1690 1691

Pieter Pickaert's etching depicts William of Orange's army landing near Belfast in 1690. The central figure of William, being helped off the boat by an officer, dominates the foreground. Flags are abundant, a symbol of allegiance and national identity. Consider how flags appear throughout history, from Roman standards to modern national banners. They are potent symbols that evoke loyalty and patriotism. The act of carrying or capturing a flag can represent victory, defeat, or the shift of power. This very act is a recurring motif in art history, seen in Delacroix's 'Liberty Leading the People' where the tricolor symbolizes the French Revolution. The flag, therefore, is not merely a piece of cloth; it is a vessel of collective memory and aspiration. The scene also conveys the psychological weight of leadership and the burdens of duty. William is supported, almost burdened, by his officer, a visual metaphor for the weight of leadership. This recalls similar depictions of emperors and generals throughout history. These motifs are cultural echoes that resonate within us, shaping our understanding of power, authority, and the flow of historical forces.