Verheffing van de prins van Oranje tot stadhouder 1747

Editor: Here we have "Verheffing van de prins van Oranje tot stadhouder," or "Elevation of the Prince of Orange to Stadtholder" created in 1747 by Nicolaas van Swinderen. It's a Baroque print on metal, presented in the form of a commemorative medal. What immediately strikes me is the density of symbolic imagery. How do you interpret the use of symbolism here, Curator? Curator: Well, notice how carefully symbols are deployed. On one side, we have the portrait, but it is the *type* of portrait that matters. It consciously echoes classical coinage. The portrait associates Prince William with virtues of Roman emperors, while the lion on the other side with a drawn sword symbolizes the strength and the courage and, more deeply, a kind of *affective* attachment to Dutch identity. Doesn’t the lion strike you as more dynamic than merely heraldic? Editor: Absolutely, the lion's posture definitely projects an active defense, not just a passive representation. Curator: Exactly. So the medal creates a deliberate parallel, constructing Prince William not just as a leader, but as a protector of freedoms. Consider where this lands during a time when the Dutch Republic was politically fractured. The images would stir powerful emotional and historical associations, working together to bolster support. Does this perhaps alter your first impression? Editor: It does! Seeing it now, I understand that these symbols aren't just decorative. They are deeply embedded with the intent to communicate very specific ideas about authority and national identity. I had considered it just Baroque at first. Curator: And notice how even now it continues to function in our world. Cultural memory is a powerful force.