Aankomst en ontvangst van de paltsgraaf Frederik met zijn vrouw Elisabeth te Vlissingen (plaat 1), 1613 1618 - 1650

This 1613 engraving, whose artist is anonymous, captures the arrival of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, and his wife Elizabeth Stuart in Vlissingen. The print reveals the intricate dance between politics, gender, and power in the 17th century. Elizabeth, daughter of King James I of England, was a figure of immense political importance. Her marriage to Frederick was a strategic alliance, uniting Protestant powers against the Catholic Habsburgs, against the backdrop of rising religious tensions in Europe. The image of the ships, a symbol of international exchange, suggests the power dynamics at play, but the angel figure also suggests a divine blessing. The fleet, rendered with striking detail, fills the sea with a sense of abundance and promise. The work commemorates a historical event, but it also reflects the societal expectations and roles imposed upon women of royalty. In a time of shifting political landscapes, this print invites us to reflect on the emotional weight of alliances, and the intersection of personal lives with grand historical narratives.