Allegorie op het huwelijk (waarschijnlijk) van Frederik Willem III van Pruisen met Louise van Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1793 1793

Daniel Berger created this print in 1793 celebrating the marriage of Frederick William III of Prussia. The image is filled with symbols of love, virtue, and Prussian strength. Note the hovering angels presenting portraits of the couple; this motif of divine approval harkens back to Renaissance art, where similar figures often legitimized rulers. The figures below gesture heavenward, seemingly acknowledging the portraits in the sky. This pose is a direct descendent of classical oratory, where upward gestures signified appeals to the gods. However, observe how the classical figures are rendered with a distinctly neoclassical austerity, aligning them with the Enlightenment ideals of reason and order. This fusion embodies a potent cultural memory, subconsciously linking the new Prussian monarchy to the glory of past empires. It evokes a powerful emotional response, inspiring awe and reverence for the royal union. We see that such symbols and gestures are not static; they evolve, adapt, and reappear, revealing the cyclical nature of history itself.