Willem en Maria worden tot koning en koningin van Engeland uitgeroepen, 1689 1689

Editor: This engraving by Pieter Pickaert from 1689, titled "Willem en Maria worden tot koning en koningin van Engeland uitgeroepen, 1689", depicts William and Mary being proclaimed King and Queen. I’m immediately struck by the ordered procession set against a backdrop of towering buildings. What’s your interpretation of this scene? Curator: Well, let's think about what's not immediately obvious. This isn't just a depiction of royalty; it's a calculated presentation of power and legitimacy following the Glorious Revolution. What details signal that to you? Think about how these processions work in general. Editor: I suppose the grand architecture in the background suggests stability and authority. And the way the figures are arranged in a formal line. Is the inclusion of everyday people, like that small dog at the forefront, symbolic as well? Curator: Precisely! It could represent the idea of a more popular monarchy. Images like this weren’t simply records; they were carefully constructed propaganda shaping public perception of the new rulers. They wanted to establish trust and the new societal order with it. Did the Dutch public embrace this propaganda? Editor: I see! It's a visual strategy to normalize the transfer of power. But, considering it's an engraving, how accessible would it have been to the broader populace? Curator: Engravings were relatively accessible, mass-produced. These would have been circulated to key figures but also posted in public spaces, shaping opinions. Images played a critical role in projecting royal power beyond court circles. Editor: That’s fascinating. So it’s less about historical documentation and more about public image construction, even back then. Thanks so much! Curator: Exactly. Examining these details helps us understand how visual culture actively shapes political narratives, then and now.