Lijkstatie van Willem IV, 1752, plaat 21 1753

Jan Punt created this print titled 'Lijkstatie van Willem IV, 1752, plaat 21'. It documents the funeral procession of William IV, Prince of Orange. In 1752, the death of a ruler wasn't merely a personal tragedy, but a pivotal moment that could reshape political alliances, trade routes, and social structures. Notice the men dressed in black, their somber attire signalling mourning, walking alongside horses draped in heraldic cloths. What do these symbols of power and lineage tell us about the construction and maintenance of identity during this time? The procession itself was a carefully orchestrated performance of power, meant to solidify the Orange dynasty’s legitimacy. Consider how events like royal funerals served as public theatre, reinforcing the social hierarchy and political status quo, but also offering a space for expressions of collective grief and national identity. This print, therefore, captures a moment where personal loss and political calculation intertwine.