Processie ter gelegenheid van het huwelijk van stadhouder Willem IV en Anna van Hannover 1734

This print by Bisphan Dickinson depicts the procession celebrating the marriage of Stadtholder Willem IV and Anna of Hannover. It offers a fascinating window into the social and political theater of the Dutch Republic. Made around the time of the wedding, the print meticulously documents the order and participants of the procession. Visual codes such as clothing, objects, and spatial arrangement were used to communicate social status and political power. The image offers insights into the political landscape of the Dutch Republic, where the House of Orange sought to consolidate its power through strategic alliances. Historical sources such as newspapers, pamphlets, and official records can illuminate the artist's intention and the audience's reception. By studying this artwork in its social and institutional context, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between art, power, and society.