Vers op de verkiezing van Willem IV tot stadhouder (blad 2), 1747 1747

This broadside, made by Frederik Vaster in 1747, celebrates Willem IV's election as stadtholder. Dominant visual symbols include text invoking patriotic and religious sentiments, typical of Dutch political prints of this era. The recurring motif of familial lineage and the emphasis on Willem IV as the heir to a heroic lineage is powerful. The text’s repeated references to ancestors and heritage evoke a sense of continuity and destiny. This symbol echoes in classical portraiture, where lineage was emphasized to legitimize power. One can find similarities in Roman imperial portraits, where rulers often associated themselves with mythological heroes to reinforce their authority. Over time, this motif has been adapted to various cultural contexts, each imbuing it with local significance. The invocation of ancestors taps into a collective memory, stirring deep-seated emotions. The emotional resonance of heritage creates a potent psychological bond between the ruler and the ruled, engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level. The cyclical recurrence of such symbols illustrates how images evolve through history, carrying emotional and psychological weight across time and space, and continuously resurfacing in new contexts.