De koning en koningin leggen de eed af, 1689 1691

This undated print by an anonymous artist at the Rijksmuseum depicts William and Mary acceding to the English throne in 1689. The print captures a moment of significant political and religious transition, reflecting the complex power dynamics of the time. After the deposition of James II, William of Orange and his wife Mary, James’s daughter, were invited to rule jointly. This event, known as the Glorious Revolution, marked a shift towards a constitutional monarchy and away from absolute rule. The print, with its detailed depiction of the coronation ceremony, places gender and marital partnership centrally in the narrative of governance, presenting Mary alongside William as co-sovereign. Consider the narratives this image silently excludes; the commoners, the dissenters, the colonized. By focusing on the solemnity of the oath, the print idealizes a moment of political change while obscuring the social unrest and conflicts of interest inherent in such a transition. This print offers a glimpse into the making of a new political order.