Huwelijk van prins Willem III met Maria Stuart, 1677 1677

This print from 1677, commemorates the marriage of Prince William III and Mary Stuart. Framing the central scene, we see laurel wreaths surrounding the couple’s portraits, symbols of victory and eternal life, harking back to ancient Roman traditions of celebrating triumph and power. But observe, the act of joining hands – a gesture laden with meaning. Across centuries, the "dextrarum iunctio," or joining of right hands, has signified not just marriage but also alliances, treaties, and agreements of peace. Think of Roman sarcophagi where this gesture seals a couple’s eternal bond. Here, it evokes echoes of those ancient vows, yet also something deeply personal, the hopes and fears bound in this union. As in antiquity, the gesture transcends the personal to become a symbol of dynastic strength and political alliance. The power of images lies in their recurrence, their ability to evoke deep-seated emotions and cultural memories, perpetually reshaping our understanding.