Allegorie op de aanstelling van Willem IV tot stadhouder van de Republiek, 1747 1747

This 1747 allegory by Jan Smit commemorates the appointment of Willem IV as stadholder of the Dutch Republic. Dominating the scene, a crowned lion, symbol of the Dutch Republic, strides forward, bound with orange ribbons—a clear reference to the House of Orange. The lion, a potent emblem of strength and courage, has roots stretching back to ancient heraldry. We see echoes of it in the Lion Gate of Mycenae, a symbol of power, and in the medieval bestiaries, where the lion embodies kingship. But here, its association with the House of Orange gives it a specific political charge. Note how it subdues a dragon, a clear sign of the victory of the new Prince of Orange. Consider too, how the collective memory of previous leaders intertwines with the present hope vested in Willem IV, an emotional and psychological dynamic shaping both the artwork's creation and its reception. This cyclical progression, where old symbols resurface, evolve, and acquire new meanings, reflects the non-linear currents of history and the enduring power of cultural symbols.