De vloot van de prins in de haven van Hellevoetsluis, 1688 1688

This etching, "The Fleet of the Prince in the harbor of Hellevoetsluis," was created in 1688 by Daniël Marot. It commemorates Prince William of Orange's departure to England, an event that would lead to the Glorious Revolution. Marot, a French Huguenot who fled to the Netherlands, designed interiors and gardens for the elite. Here, he captures the harbor bustling with ships and figures, all under an allegorical scene of figures in the sky. But it is important to remember that this image represents not just a change of power in England, but also the religious and political tensions of the time. William's ascent to the English throne had profound consequences, impacting the lives and identities of people across Europe. Consider this print as a document of political and social upheaval, reflecting both the grand narratives of history and the personal stories of those who lived through it. The busy port suggests both a moment of great anticipation and a point of departure into an uncertain future.