Triomftocht van Willem van Oranje, linksmidden 1623 - 1626

Editor: Here we have Cornelis van Kittensteyn's "Triumphal Procession of William of Orange," made between 1623 and 1626. It’s an engraving, a print. What strikes me most is the almost overwhelming detail – and that elephant! What do you see in this piece, beyond the immediate spectacle? Curator: Oh, my dear, it’s a universe unto itself! This isn't just a picture; it’s a carefully constructed argument. Look at how the artist marries the historical and the allegorical. William isn’t merely a military leader; he's riding on an elephant, the symbol of Prudence, surrounded by virtues! See how each figure represents a quality necessary for just rule? Does it feel a little… much, perhaps? Like they threw every possible symbol into the mix? Editor: I see what you mean. It feels very… baroque. But all these virtues seem almost excessive, don't they? Curator: Exactly! Excess is the point, perhaps. This isn't subtle; it’s a declaration. It tells us that William’s reign, and by extension, the Dutch Republic, are built on an unshakable foundation of righteousness and wisdom. Editor: So it's like propaganda, but really beautiful propaganda? Curator: Precisely! Propaganda gets such a bad rap, but think of it as persuasive storytelling. Do you see the Cherubs above? The embodiment of peace and prosperity crowning him… the stage management here is extraordinary, wouldn't you say? A masterclass, and of course there are multiple layers to decode still… Editor: Absolutely. It makes you consider the layers of meaning embedded in every detail, which I hadn't fully appreciated before. Thank you. Curator: It's like opening a cabinet full of strange artifacts. Each element is deliberate, designed to create an impression. It seems as if we have peeled the onion that this picture is, to look inside to see the structure.